DHAKA: At least 30 people have been killed and another 10 wounded in fighting between rival sectarian militias in the Central African Republic (CAR), police say.

Officials say most of those who died in the central town of Dekoa were civilians hit by stray bullets.

The predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militia attacked positions held by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels, they say.

CAR exploded into violence in early December amid mounting resentment toward a Muslim-led government.

Muslim rebels seized power in March 2013 by overthrowing President Francois Bozize - who had been in power for a decade.

The rebel leader who replaced him, President Michel Djotodia, was accused of failing to prevent his forces from raping, torturing and killing civilians - particularly among the country`s Christian majority.

When Mr Djotodia`s government fell in January, Christian militia fighters began attacking Muslim civilians in retaliation.

Thousands have been killed since the conflict began and tens of thousands more have fled the country. The UN says that about 1.3 million people - a quarter of the population - are in need of aid, reports the BBC.

BDST: 0914 HRS, APR 10, 2014