Rebels burn Government buildings in India

GUWAHATI, India - Angry tribesmen set ablaze more than a dozen government buildings after soldiers shot at a protester in the volatile northeastern state of Manipur late, officials said.

"The situation in four districts of the state is tense and more central forces have been rushed there," Manipur's Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told Reuters by telephone from the state capital Imphal.

He said Naga tribesmen had targeted the offices of top district officials. The tribesmen, living in four districts of Manipur, are fighting for a separate homeland.

Manipuri people, who strongly oppose the division of their state, burned the legislative assembly in 2001 to oppose moves to carve out the Naga-dominated districts.

The Manipur government declared June 18 a local holiday to mark the fourth anniversary of the event, triggering strong protests from Naga tribesmen, who have blocked several roads since June 19.

The protests led to the clash with soldiers that provoked Saturday's arson attacks.

The main Naga separatist group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) headed by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, has held peace talks with New Delhi since 1997.

The eight-year-old ceasefire agreement between the federal government and NSCN expires on July 31, but is expected to be extended for another year.

- REUTERS