Naga rebel groups in fierce clash

Hundreds of rebels have died in factional fighting

At least seven rebels have been killed in the north-east Indian state of Nagaland in fierce fighting between two separatist factions, police say.

Clashes are still taking place between two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).

Some 50 rebels of the Muivah faction attacked a camp belonging to the rival Khaplang group in a central district of Nagaland early on Thursday.

Thousands have died in the fight for a homeland for Nagas in the north-east.

A spokesman for the Khaplang faction, K Mulatonu, told the BBC that fighters from his groups were able to repulse the attack.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says Nagaland has designated camps for rebels from both factions which are in various stages of negotiation with the Indian government.

While the Khaplang faction has declared a ceasefire with Delhi, the Muivah group has already begun direct negotiations with the Indian government.

"Under the ceasefire, cadres of both NSCN groups are to keep themselves confined to the camps," a local police spokesman, Muthasuyi Chakesang, told the AFP news agency.

"The attack by the Muivah group... is a violation of the ceasefire," he added.

Homeland dream

More than 400 rebels of both factions have been killed in fighting since the NSCN split in 1988.

The Naga insurgency was India's first ethnic rebellion.

The NSCN wants a greater Nagaland comprising Naga-inhabited areas of the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

These states are vehemently opposed to the idea, and correspondents say it is a major sticking point in negotiations between the Naga rebels and Delhi.

Talks between the two sides began in 1997, when the rebels decided to explore the possibility of a settlement through dialogue.