12 die in clashes in India's northeast

Twelve people have been killed, most of them in firing by security forces, after riots erupted in India's restive northeast against local elections an official said on Tuesday. Soldiers have been deployed in an attempt to subdue the violence that broke out in Goalpara, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Assam state's main city of Guwahati, Bhupen Bora, an Assam state home ministry official, told AFP. "So far, 12 deaths have been reported from various places with initial reports saying nine were killed in firing by security forces and others in clashes," Bora said. "Army soldiers have been deployed in the troubled areas to stop the violence from spreading," Bora told AFP. Security forces opened fire when two tribes opposing the elections began setting fire to villages and attacking government officials with spears and machetes, Bora said. Television channels showed images of men and women torching houses and engaging in widespread arson. "The situation is very critical and volatile," said Bora. Rabha and Hasong tribal villagers are demanding local autonomy and reject government rule in the area. The protesters said the polls for "panchayat" or village councils that were held Tuesday undermined the authority of their own Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. Northeast India has seen decades of friction among ethnic and separatist groups, although some rebels have recently started peace talks with the government. More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to unrest in the the tea- and oil-rich state of Assam over the last two decades.