Guwahati, June 9 : Unidentified militants torched down at least 40 houses belonging to Dimasa tribals in the strife-torn North Cachar Hills district in Guwahati.

"A group of gunmen wearing black clothes and helmets struck Diduki and Lailing villages under Maibang and Mahur police stations on Monday night and set huts on fire. About 160 tribals are now homeless," a police spokesman said.

It was believed that security personnel had taken away the licensed guns of villagers on Sunday and the miscreants seem to have taken advantage of the situation.

Earlier on June 3, separatist militants of the Dima Halam Daogah-Jewel (DHD-J) faction, had set the entire Boro Chamon village on fire, which killed at least five tribals and injured 10.

Tribals are now fleeing Assam's North Cachar Hills district following violence. In the past few months these tribals have relocated to Tamenglong district in Manipur.

"Since the outbreak of violence in the southern Assam in March, initially over 500 displaced tribal villagers have arrived and taken shelter at Tousem. However, the numbers of displaced people have increased due to fresh violence in NC Hills," said said Jacinta Lazarus, deputy commissioner of Tamenglong.

The Manipur chief secretary held a meeting with his Assam counterpart to take note of various militant attacks being reported in the state. They have highlighted the need to take necessary steps and provide relief materials. (ANI)