Mobs torch several govt buildings in Manipur

"The situation in four districts of the state is tense and more central forces have been rushed there," Manipur's Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told Reuters by telephone from the state capital Imphal yesterday.

Indian soldiers yesterday were on high alert in the violence-hit northeastern state after security forces fired on protestors when they went on the rampage, torching government buildings.

At least six protestors were injured Saturday when security forces opened fire to quell a strong mob of about 200 people in Ukhrul district, 85km north of Imphal, the state capital.

Sporadic violence continued overnight, Manipur's Additional Police Chief J.C. Dabas told AFP from Imphal.

A police spokesman said tribal Naga protestors in Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong districts launched a coordinated attack burning government offices and damaging property.

"Big mobs have set ablaze at least 20 offices in the three districts and were getting beyond control when security forces fired to disperse the crowd," the spokesman who requested anonymity told AFP by telephone from the state capital Imphal.

The violence is part of a campaign by tribal Naga supporters demanding integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur into a "Greater Nagaland", a concept sought by a tribal separatist group in adjoining Nagaland state.

Army, police and paramilitary troopers were patrolling in armoured vehicles in the four hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel.

"Our troops are on high alert across the state and we are ready to meet any eventualities," Dabas said. "The situation is still tense but so far under control."

Meanwhile, at least three Indian paramilitary soldiers were killed and two seriously wounded yesterday in an ambush by militants in the northeast state of Manipur a day after a violent protests, officials said.

A police spokesman said heavily armed militants attacked an Assam Rifles patrol near the village of Waithou, about 24km southeast of Manipur's state capital Imphal around 11:00 am (0530 GMT).

"The militants used automatic weapons and fired indiscriminately on the security patrol killing three and seriously injuring two," he said, adding that the wounded were taken to an army hospital.

The Manipur government and state's majority Metei community are opposed to any move to divide up the region. The NSCN is engaged in peace talks with New Delhi after the two sides entered into a ceasefire in 1997.

The eight-year-old ceasefire agreement between the federal government and NSCN expires on July 31, but is expected to be extended for another year.

Manipuri people, who strongly oppose the division of their state, burnt the legislative assembly in 2001 to oppose moves to carve out the Naga-dominated districts.

The Manipur government declared June 18 a local holiday to mark the fourth anniversary of the event, triggering strong protests from Naga tribesmen, who have blocked several roads since June 19.

The protests led to the clash with soldiers that provoked Saturday's arson attacks.