Greater autonomy

The Goalpara area - which adjoins Bangladesh - falls under an autonomous council meant for Rabha tribes people who have been opposing the staging of elections to the panchayats, or village councils.

The first round of elections in some districts was held on 31 December.

The next two rounds will be held on 4 and 9 January.

The Rabhas are opposing the panchayat polls in their autonomous council area because they want greater autonomy.

But other communities in the Rabha council area want the panchayat elections to go ahead.

The Non-Rabha Coordination Committee, led by Shahjahan Ali, called for a strike on Wednesday during which supporters of the strike went on the rampage.

"Why should our people be denied the benefit of panchayat elections?" Mr Ali asked. "These village bodies are key to managing local development."

Officials say the strike supporters encircled the police station in Lakhipur and started pelting it with stones on Wednesday morning.

Police first fired teargas in response and then fired several times into the mob. Later in the afternoon, the mob regrouped and attacked the police station a second time. Again, the police fired.

More than 10 vehicles were destroyed in various parts of Goalpara.

Paramilitary reinforcements have been sent to the district to bring the situation under control, officials say.