The death toll rose to 30 in attacks by suspected insurgents on Muslim villagers in India's north-eastern Assam state after several bodies were found overnight, police said Saturday, according to dpa. Curfew was imposed in the districts of Kokrajhar and Baksa, and soldiers were patrolling to help maintain peace, regional police chief LR Bishnoi said. Police said National Democratic Front of Bodoland rebels shot at Muslim villagers in three separate incidents Thursday and Friday. The separatist group denied involvement in the attacks, NDTV said. The victims included at least eight children and eight women, Bishnoi said. Thirteen people had been arrested in connection with the attacks. At least 500 Muslims fled from their homes and were sheltering with relatives in other areas or in relief camps, Bishnoi said. "These could have been election-related clashes," Sidique Ahmed, Assam border development minister, was quoted as saying by NDTV.
