A curfew was imposed Friday in areas of north-eastern India's Assam state after three people were killed and several injured during a strike called by a tribal group, police said.
The tribal All Rabha Students Union (ARSU) which is agitating for greater autonomy had called the general strike. It wanted a senior Rabha tribe leader released from police custody.
Earlier Friday traders in Krishnai village, some 100 kilometre's (62 miles) west of Assam's state capital Guwahati attacked Rabha tribal men who were trying to force them to down their shutters.
"There was an altercation between traders and activists of the Rabha student's union who were trying to enforce the general strike in western Assam," said Assam police chief Khagen Sharma.
"Three persons, who were among others that were trying to enforce the strike, were beaten to death by some local people."