Assam strike over train attacks

A general strike called by students in India's Assam state brought many areas of life to a standstill on Monday.

Schools and offices were shut but most rail and air services operated normally despite stray incidents of violence.

The All Assam Students' Union called the protest after attacks on Assamese train passengers in Bihar state.

Local Assamese-speakers also accuse Hindi-speaking settlers from Bihar of altering the demographic balance and taking away their jobs.

The strike was supported by Assam's main separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), which has threatened to attack Hindi-speaking people if they do not leave Assam.