Six massacred in ethnic dispute

Separatist guerrillas have attacked a village in remote northeastern India, killing six and wounding five others.

The heavily armed National Democratic Front of Bodoland, fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe, launched the attack against a group of farm workers in Ramgaon.

The farm workers all belong to the Adivasi Santhal tribal group. It is thought the NDFB wanted to drive them out of the area.

Ramgaon is 35 miles north of the state capital, Gauhati. Since 1996, at least 500 people have died in ethnic clashes between the Bodos and the Adivasi Santhals.

Khagen Sharma, inspector general of police, said: "Rebels of the NDFB descended on Ramgaon, rounded up the farmers and began firing indiscriminately, killing six people instantly and injuring five other farm workers."

The NDFB accuses the Adivasi Santhals of grabbing land and illegally settling in traditional Bodo lands. The Santhals deny the charges.