New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) The central government Saturday decided to send 20 more companies of paramilitary forces to Assam, where a string of attacks blamed on an outlawed militant outfit has killed at least 60 migrant labourers this month.

A decision to this effect was taken by the home ministry Saturday evening, said the official spokesman of the ministry.

"The centre has sent 20 more companies of paramilitary forces to Assam for internal security duties and security of National Games, being held in Guwahati next month. This is in addition to 30 companies of paramilitary forces sent to Assam recently," said an official note.

As a company consists 120 personnel, there will now be 6,000 more personnel standing guard to ensure complete security for the games slated to be held in Assam's main city Guwahati Feb 9-18, said ministry officials.

A wave of attacks over Jan 5-8, blamed on the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), killed 73 people, including 61 Hindi-speaking migrant workers.

A massive counter-insurgency operation was launched Jan 8 with close to 30,000 army, police and paramilitary personnel engaged in crackdown against the ULFA.