Six policemen killed in Manipur

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At least six policemen have been killed and several others injured when their convoy was attacked by rebels in the Indian state of Manipur, officials say.

They say that the incident happened in the state's hilly Ukhrul district bordering Burma on Friday.

Officials said the policemen were escorting polling officials carrying ballot boxes after the first phase of elections for the state assembly.

The main separatist group in Manipur say they carried out the attack.

Two rebel groups are thought to be active in the Ukhrul area.

Stronghold

Officials say that heavily armed rebels opened fire with automatic weapons as the convoy carrying election officials and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men neared a sharp bend not far from the hill village of Chassad.

Six CRPF personnel died on the spot and several others were injured. Doctors say two are in a serious condition.

Manipur's leading separatist group, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed responsibility for the incident.

UNLF spokesperson Tombi Singh told the BBC over the telephone from an undisclosed location that their fighters seized two assault rifles and two light machine guns from the ambushed convoy.

Elections for 19 of the 60 seats of the Manipur state assembly were held on Thursday.

The remainder of the seats will go to polls in two more phases on 14 February and 23 February.

The UNLF wants a referendum in Manipur

Ukhrul is generally thought to be the stronghold of the Naga separatist group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) but the UNLF has made deep inroads into the area in recent weeks in locations close to the border with Burma.

The UNLF is one of north-east India's oldest rebel groups. Formed in 1964, it recently called for a referendum in Manipur to ascertain whether people in the state wanted to stay in India or break away.

Delhi rejected the UNLF's plea.