At least six people belonging to the Bodo tribe were killed by armed Santhal tribes people in two separate attacks in India's north-eastern state of Assam on Monday.

Police said three of the victims were women.

Bodos and Santhals have been involved in an ethnic conflict for the last two years in which more than 300 people have died.

More than 50 of these were killed in the first half of May, after which there was a heavy deployment of security forces in areas of western Assam where the two tribes cohabit.

Assam police officials said around 30 armed Santhals attacked the Bodo village of Bandarbool in western Assam.

Huts burned

Security was stepped up after other killings in May

They burned down scores of huts, and as panic-stricken Bodos fled for cover they were hacked to death. Five people, including three women, died in the attack.

Another gang of armed Santhals attacked the Bodo village of Garegaon and killed a Bodo maid. Five others were seriously injured in this attack.

Officials in western Assam said tension was rising in the area as hundreds of Bodos were said to be gathering along a national highway apparently to attack some Santhal settlements.

Additional police and paramilitary units have been rushed to the area to prevent further escalation.

Bodos and Santhals have fought a bitter ethnic war since early 1996.

The Bodos, who want a separate homeland, see the Santhal as unwelcome encroachers and have killed large numbers of them in planned attacks.

But now the Santhals, also organised into some armed groups, are striking back.