GUWAHATI (India) - Riot police yesterday fired tear gas to disperse violent mobs that tried to burn bridges, government buildings and vehicles in the country's north-east to protest against a controversial anti-terror law.

Manipur state has been on the boil for more than a month over the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives troops the right to arrest and shoot at suspected rebels.

Residents said armed troops patrolled deserted streets as most offices, schools and markets stayed shut. The authorities have imposed a night curfew on several towns in the remote state that borders Myanmar. -- Reuters