January 04, 2008	Friday	Zilhaj 24, 1428

GUWAHATI: Eight people were killed and 20 injured when police opened fire on protestors demanding village elections in north-eastern India, police said on Thursday.The incident occurred in Assam state when a call for a shutdown turned violent, a police spokesman said.

Protestors were trying to enforce a strike to press for their demand for elections in the area, which is run by an autonomous council of tribal people.

Tribal people fear the loss of their control if elections are held.

Soldiers were called in the state’s Goalpara district and a curfew was imposed to prevent further unrest, deputy inspector general of Assam police G.P Singh said.—AFP