Assam was paralysed on Monday by a 24-hour strike called by 18 non-tribal groups opposing a government plan to create a new autonomous territory for Bodo tribesmen.

"The strike, started from early Monday morning, has completely disrupted functioning of businesses, schools, offices and traffic on highways in western and northern parts of the state," a government spokesman said. Security in the area was stepped up, with paramilitary troops intensifying patrols following threats by the non-tribals of fresh ethnic violence if the federal government moves ahead with its plan to form a new territorial council for the Bodos.
Non-tribals fear that Bodos would evict them from the area once the new territorial council is formed, slicing out most of western and northern parts of Assam.
New Delhi has held several rounds of talks over the past year with the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), an armed group fighting for more autonomy.
Both sides have agreed to form the Bodoland Territorial Council, for the development of Bodo-dominated areas.
Bodos, who make up some 13 per cent of Assam's population of 26 million, have fought a bloody campaign since 1987 for a separate state to be carved out of tea-growing and oil-rich Assam. Bureau Report