42 people have died whilst at least 200,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the north-east Indian state of Assam.

Communal violence between ethnic groups has been spreading for days with Bangladesh accused of helping the militia take out attacks on civilians.

Yesterday it was reported there had been numerous "machete attacks" with minority Bangladeshi immigrants clashing with Bodos in four districts of lower Assam.

Buses, cars and schools were set on fire, whilst the Indian Army mobilised about 1000 troops to enforce peace in the area.

Ethnic violence has been brewing since last week when two migrants died and then 4 other Assamese men died in retaliation. The right-wing Hindu BJP partyalleged that illegal immigration from Bangladesh was responsible for ethnic and communal discord and asked the government to seal the border with the neighbouring country.