Strike call after Assam shootings

Separatists and students in India's north-eastern Assam state have called two days of strikes after protesters were shot dead by police.

Officials say at least 10 people died on Friday after police shot at crowds protesting against the death in custody of a man suspected of separatist links.

Five protesters died at the scene. Another five died later of injuries.

Two policemen also died in the riot in Kakopathar, in Tinsukia district. A curfew has been ordered in the area.

'Violation'

The separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) has called a 12-hour strike across Assam on Monday.

We want Delhi to implement its commitment to us that there will be no further military operation in Assam Lachit Bordoloi People's Consultative Group Assam's paths of violence

The All Assam Students Union has called for a similar strike on Tuesday.

A committee of civil society leaders nominated by Ulfa to start a peace dialogue with the Indian government has warned that it might pull out of the dialogue unless military operations and rights violations stop in Assam.

"We want Delhi to implement its commitment to us that there will be no further military operation in Assam," said Lachit Bordoloi of the People's Consultative Group (PCG) set up by Ulfa.

"We want no violation of this commitment, but the incidents at Kakopathar that started with the custodial death of local boy Ajit Mahanta and led to a mass upsurge is a sure violation."

'Critical'

An indefinite curfew has been ordered in areas around four police stations in Tinsukia district after Friday's violence.

Officials say a mob several thousand strong tried to burn down Kakopathar police station after news that Mr Mahanta had died in military custody.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says the news that three army officials face disciplinary action over his death has failed to pacify the simmering anger in the area.

Our correspondent says at least seven other protesters remain in a critical condition in hospital, all with bullet wounds, after the shooting.