India: New rebel group in Assam

NEW DELHI, April 28 (UPI) -- India's security agencies say they are worried over the emergence of a new armed insurgent outfit in militancy-hit Assam state.

They said the Bodoland Royal Tiger Force has been procuring arms and ammunition in western Assam. A senior state security official said the new group would soon find a place on the list of militant outfits waging war against the state.

He said the proximity of the new rebel group with the leadership of the Bodoland Territorial Council has forced security agencies to remain tight-lipped about their activities.

The Bodoland Royal Tiger Force was floated in 2007, The Asian Age newspaper reported Monday.

The outfit has not yet indulged in any major subversive activities or extortion, but with new members joining the group, it is planning a major strike, the official said.