People from Manipur taking refuge in Assam after fresh violence

Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday, leading to fresh tension in the neighbouring state which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May last year.

Residents of the bordering areas claimed that about 600 people have taken shelter in various parts of Lakhipur in Cachar district, entering the state by crossing the Jiri river over the last four days.

They are taking shelter in villages at Jirighat and Lakhipur, though no government relief camp has been opened for them, they said.