Upsurge in Assam violence

The rebels threatened to disrupt Independence Day

By Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta

The authorities in the eastern Indian state of Assam say at least 14 suspected militants have died in clashes with the security forces in the last 24 hours.

Military officials in Assam said the security forces had intensified an offensive against the two main separatist groups - the National Democratic Front of Bodoland or (NDFB) and the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) - following an explosion on Sunday.

That blast ripped through a police convoy, killing 10 people.

Three members of the NDFB were killed in an encounter with the Indian troops later on Sunday in the village of Bokrajuli in the state's western district of Nalbari.

Another member of the same group was killed in Kokrajhar district.

Hideout raid

In a separate clash, six Ulfa rebels were killed near Darranga on Assam's border with Bhutan.

The officials said three villagers were killed in crossfire when troops were chasing the rebels.

The security forces raided another rebel hideout at Dimakuchi on Sunday.

Officials said four Ulfa rebels were killed in that attack.

Military officials have said they have become more active after the rebels threatened to disrupt Independence Day celebrations on 15th August.

Twelve separatist groups in north-eastern India, including the NDFB and the Ulfa, have called for a general strike on that day.