*GUWAHATI, INDIA: *A landmine explosion killed four people, including anelection candidate, in India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya in an areawhere four militant groups are seeking independence, police said on Monday.
The attack happened on Sunday night in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hillsdistrict, about 250 km (150 miles) from the state capital, Shillong.
The candidate for the Nationalist Congress Party from the Williamnagarassembly constituency, Jonathone Sangma, was killed along with his driverand two police.
“The vehicle in which Sangma was traveling bore the maximum impact of theexplosion. Everyone in the car died on the spot,” said Ringrang Momin, asenior state police officer.
Police officials said there were four active militant groups in the areademanding secession from India for tens of thousands of Garo tribals livingin the state bordering Bangladesh.
“This is the handiwork of the militant groups… We have yet to identify theoutfit involved in the landmine explosion,” Momin said.
Elections for the 60-member house in Meghalaya state are scheduled forFebruary 27.