Indian rebels kill communists

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC correspondent in Calcutta

Separatist rebels have shot dead five communist supporters in India's north-eastern state of Tripura.

Police said the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) had carried out the attack.

Tripura police officials said a group of about 10 guerrillas attacked Rathinjoypara village in the state's northern district of Galai late on Wednesday.

They then opened fire, killing three communist supporters on the spot, police say.

Later, the same group of rebels attacked a neighbouring village, Thanabul, and killed two more communist supporters.

Tribesmen attacked

The victims belonged to Tripura's Halam tribe.

The guerrillas, who claim to fight for the independence of Tripura, have regularly attacked Bengali settlers.

The rebels were upset by the victory of the state's ruling communists in legislative assembly elections in February.

In recent weeks, the rebels have begun attacking tribes people who support the communists.