Tribal Clash Leaves 13 Dead in Northeastern India
May 10, 1998 - 0:0
GAUHATI, India Tribespeople armed with spears, machetes and shotguns attacked a remote northeastern Indian village dominated by a rival tribe Saturday, killing 13 people. Another 12 people were injured in the early morning attack by Bodo tribespeople on the Santhal tribal village of Borbil, 265 kilometers (165 miles) west of the Assam state capital of Gauhati, said H. Sheikh, a district government official.
Sheikh added that several homes were torched. The attack was one in a series of clashes in the latest outburst of ethnic animosity between Bodos and Santhals, who are in the minority in the region. Officials say the violence began April 27 when Santhals armed with bows and arrows killed four Bodo men. In an apparent revenge attack last Sunday, Bodos ambushed a bus carrying Santhals, hacking 14 to death.
The bitter rivalry between the two tribes provoked widespread riots in the area two years ago. At least 200 people were killed on both sides. The isolated region is 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of New Delhi. (AP)
Sheikh added that several homes were torched. The attack was one in a series of clashes in the latest outburst of ethnic animosity between Bodos and Santhals, who are in the minority in the region. Officials say the violence began April 27 when Santhals armed with bows and arrows killed four Bodo men. In an apparent revenge attack last Sunday, Bodos ambushed a bus carrying Santhals, hacking 14 to death.
The bitter rivalry between the two tribes provoked widespread riots in the area two years ago. At least 200 people were killed on both sides. The isolated region is 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of New Delhi. (AP)