The central government on Tuesday warned that it will take stern action against militants who have been targeting Hindi-speaking people in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Suspected tribal miltants had gunned down 14 Hindi-speaking people on August 11.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal visited the violence-hit district on Tuesday.

He reviewed the security arrangements with senior officials of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force.

The central government will not tolerate such acts of violence and it will take the toughest action against the perpetrators, Jaiswal said.

"The Centre will help the Assam government tackle this situation," he said.

Meanwhile, a 12-hour state-wide bandh, called by a forum of political and non-political organisations, brought normal life to a standstill on Tuesday.

Organisers of the bandh demanded the protection of Hindi-speaking people in the state.

The forum included the Left parties, the All Assam Students' Union and various traders' organisations.

The Centre has dispatched additional paramilitary forces to help the Army personnel already deployed in the violence-hit district. However, the additional forces haven't yet reached the trouble spots.