4 rebels killed in eastern India

At least four rebels were killed in a clash with police in India's north eastern state of Meghalaya, police said Sunday. Police said the encounter between the armed militants and security forces took place in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on late Saturday night. The militant opened indiscriminate fire on the police, police claimed, adding, "our forces retaliated back with heavy fire and during the ensuing gunfight all the four militants were killed". The police claimed the encounter which lasted for nearly an hour led to also the recovery of huge cache of weapons from the possession of militants. The rebels allegedly belonged to a splinter group of the Achik National Volunteers Council that is fighting for a separate state for the Garo tribe. North-eastern India is home to many diverse ethnic groups. It has been plagued by rebellions over the past several decades.