In the continuing violence between Hmar and Dimacha tribes in Cachar district, unidentified persons torched four huts and opened fire on villagers at Nutan Punji on Saturday night.Police sources said on Sunday that the miscreants fled the area, falling under Amaranagar tea estate, after police from a nearby camp rushed to the spot. They torched four houses — two belonging to Hmars and the rest to Nepalis. They also opened fire but no one was injured, sources said. Tension mounted in the locality as many took shelter at Naatchghar which is near the police camp.Meanwhile, one more body was recovered from Sonai river in the district, taking the death toll of the March 31 massacre of Dimachas by Hmar rebels to 26. Curfew in the neighbouring strife-torn North Cachar Hills, where the situation is tense but under control, was relaxed for four hours this afternoon. NC Hills has been the scene of ethnic clashes between Dimachas and Hmar tribal communities for the last few days and a Hmar youth was killed and over 100 houses set ablaze during the curfew on April 9.
