9 killed by suspected separatists in NE India

NEW DELHI, May 13 -- Separatists in the northeast Indian state of Manipur killed nine migrant workers Monday, reported the private Indo-Asian News Service on Tuesday.

Police said militants groups killed these Hindi-speaking migrant workers late Monday inside a wild life park in Manipur's Bishenpur district, about 14 km south of the state capital Imphal, according to the report.

Police were tipped off by local villagers that 12 people were taken blindfolded inside the park by heavily armed militants. Three people managed to escape from their captors.

This the second time in two months for Hindi-speaking migrant workers to have been killed separatists in Manipur bordering Myanmar. Five migrant workers were killed in February there, according to police.

There are some 19 militant groups active in Manipur calling for secession from India or greater autonomy.