Suspected Zemi Naga men set ablaze 21 Dimasa houses in Assam

North Cachar Hills (Assam), June 20 (ANI): Suspected Zemi Naga men fired at a group of Dimasa tribe and set ablaze 21 houses in Assam's strife-torn North Cachar Hills district on Saturday.

The latest incident took place five days after the killing of 15 people in the district.

According to the police, the incident took place when some inhabitants, who had abandoned their huts due to ethnic clashes, returned to take stock of cattle and other possessions at Dibal Wasling Dimasa village, they were fired upon by suspected Zemi Naga tribes and their houses set ablaze.

Police officials said at least 21 houses in the village were gutted in the arson.

It is believed that the attack has been carried out in retaliation to the killing of 15 Zemi Naga tribals, including eight children, and burning down of more than 50 houses at Mechidui, about 23 km from the district headquarters of Haflong, on 16th June, Police said.

Earlier on June eight and 10th June, two Dimasa-inhabitated villages were attacked by suspected Zemi Nagas where nearly 50 houses were set ablaze.

A number of persons have died due to the ongoing clash between the rival Dimasa and Zemi Naga tribes since April last. (ANI)