Imphal, June 16 2009: Twelve people, including eight children, were killed today as ethnic violence continued to rock strife-torn North Cachar Hills in Assam with tribal Dimasas allegedly torching 50 houses in a rival Zemi-Naga village.

Police said armed Dimasa tribals attacked Mechidui village, about 23 km from the district headquarters of Haflong, at 12.30 pm.

The attackers set ablaze 50 houses before escaping.

Police and security personnel recovered 12 bodies from the spot.

Police said the identity of the victims was yet to be ascertained.

The bodies have been sent for post mortem.

They said today's incident could be in retaliation to the attack by Zemi Nagas on two villages on June eight and June 10 when nearly 50 houses were set ablaze.

Several persons have been killed and in the ongoing ethnic clash between the two communities in the past few months.

The hill district has been rocked by violence with the militant groups Dima Halam Daogah and NSCN factions targetting trains and public installations.