Guwahati: In retaliation to an attack on a Bodo person from Assam in Bihar, Bodos set ablaze 17 thatched houses of Biharis and injured four persons last night (May 30, 2004) in Upper Assam's Golaghat district, police said today (May 31,2004).

Police sources from Golaghat said that a group of about 45 Bodos armed with lathis and swords attacked seven Bihari families at village Gelebil Telia under Barpathar police Station around 9 pm last night injuring four persons including a woman and a girl.

The attackers then set ablaze 17 thatched houses of the seven families before fleeing away.

Police said the attack was in retaliation to a one Bodo person Sailen Khaklari being badly beaten and injured while travelling in a train in Bihar on May 18 last.

On his return on May 28, Khaklari informed the people of his community about Biharis beating him and looting his luggage while travelling in train. This provoked his People to attack the village last night.

Meanwhile, police pickets have been posted in the village and nearby area and peace committees formed to maintain law and order in the area.

Earlier, in October last year ULFA (United Liberation Force of Assam) militants had killed several Biharis in the Upper Assam area in retaliation to attacks on Assam railway passengers by Biharis in Bihar following disputes on railway recruitment exam.