BOMBAY, Oct 6: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday he was concerned that separatist rebels behind violence in the Assam and Nagaland were sheltering in neighbouring Bangladesh.

"We are aware that some groups are taking shelter in Bangladesh which is a concern to us," Mr Singh told a news conference in Bombay. "We have been talking to our friendly neighbours and it is our hope that all our friendly neighbours will not allow any of their territories for any terrorist activity," he added.

Assam and neighbouring Nagaland state have been hit by violence since Saturday, with 81 people killed and 217 injured in some 21 incidents of bombings and shootings. Most victims have been civilians.

The northeast region is home to around two dozen militant and separatist groups with demands ranging from autonomy to secession. Mr Singh's government, which has sent extra troops to the northeast, has faced fierce criticism over the spate of violence from its political opponents, who claim it does not have an effective policy on the northeast.

"It is not true to say that we do not have credible policy for northeast. We had anticipated that terrorists will do something on Oct 2 and 3. But terrorists have the advantage," Mr Singh said.

Police have blamed the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for the attacks and the two groups have claimed some of the bloodletting.

Both ULFA, NDFB and another two prominent groups are operating out of bases in Bangladesh, according to Indian intelligence. India claims that there are about 195 militant camps including training bases in Bangladesh, which denies its territory is used by the insurgents. -AFP