The vegetable market beneath the Bishnu Ram Medhi flyover popularly known as the Ganeshguri bazaar was where the bombs were planted which ripped dozens of auto rikshaws to shreds. The nearby parked vehicles immediately caught fire and petrol tanks blew up. A city bus that was meandering beneath the flyover bore the brunt of the explosion as its right side was completed blown away leaving many dead.

The late arrival of the state police made the people angrier. The awesome destructive power of the bombs forced people to scramble for safety.

The car bomb that went off near the DC court at around 10.50 am left 12 to 13 advocates dead. The dead and the injured were rushed to the Mohendra Mohan Choudhury hospital at Panbazar. Many of the dead were unrecognizable.

The Assam government sent out an alert and the district police force and the intelligence machinery have been alerted to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The army has been put on stand-by.

Speculations and blame game have already started flying thick and fast with the police claiming that it could be jehadi elements that may have triggered the explosions. Not to be left far behind, the ULFA too are dragged into it, though, through an e - mail to newspaper offices and local TV channels the ULFA have denied their involvement in this mayhem. Intelligence officials however, were quick to blame ULFA for the blasts. 

A statement issued by the self-styled “lieutenant” Anjan Borthakur on behalf of ULFA’s “Military Council” said that the group was in no way connected with these blasts. 

The statement said that ULFA had been blamed as part of a “disinformation campaign” against the separatist group. 

Most fighters in one of ULFA’s “strike battalions” have announced a ceasefire with the government. Two other battalions are in their hideouts as they are uncertain about their future and refusing to bid farewell to arms. The security forces are on the prowl and have attacked and killed many of them in recent weeks. 

“So the ULFA is striking back in a massive way by taking on soft targets,” Assam Police Chief R. N Mathur said. 

“No other group can trigger so many blasts in so many places in such a coordinated fashion.” 

He said most of the bombs had been planted in cars. 

Assam Police Intelligence Chief Khagen Sharma is of the opinion that the latest bombings proved that ULFA was “desperate for survival and does not mind killing even local people indiscriminately” 

The police are also maintaining that through various intelligence sources there was information that there could be jehadi attacks in certain parts of Assam more particularly in Guwahati. What emerges as of now is that despite having such clues the intelligence department proved themselves to be totally incapable of taking utmost care to nip this problem in the bud. Perhaps, to quote an English Daily from Guwahati, “it is the intelligence system of the terror groups that is at work and outsmarting the State intelligence. The State must wake up and face the reality”.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, is scheduled to visit Assam on Saturday, November 1st.

The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi hurriedly called a televised press conference wherein he had condemned the multiple blasts that went off in different parts of the state. He appealed to the security personnel to be on high alert while urging the people to be extra vigilant against such activities. He further said that a special task force has been set up to find those involved in these dastardly acts of violence and terrorism.

The BJP Prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani while condemning the bomb blasts said “infiltrators and their masters have been found to be behind many ghastly incidents across the country and probably the same elements could be behind these Assam blasts also”.

However, the situation in Assam is still fluid. Sagacity and confidence building measures are the need of the hour. Collective consultations among the various political parties including the security forces and intelligence personnel along with members of the civil society should bring about a solution instead of hurling abuse at one another.

Following the multiple bomb blasts in Assam, people are perturbed and dismayed by the way the State government is functioning. There is confusion and disorder. Ganeshguri that witnessed as many as three bomb blasts in a short span of time is still reeling under tremendous pressure to bring some semblance of confidence among the people.

Early on the morning of the 31st of October 2008, a crowd had gathered to take out a procession demanding among many others, compensation to the victims. As the situation was reaching a boiling point, security forces took measures to prevent any untoward incident. However, soon after, the crowd surged which led the police to open fire resulting in the injury of five persons and the government was forced to clamp curfew for a few hours to calm the situation.

EP DESK

The vegetable market beneath the Bishnu Ram Medhi flyover popularly known as the Ganeshguri bazaar was where the bombs were planted which ripped dozens of auto rikshaws to shreds. The nearby parked vehicles immediately caught fire and petrol tanks blew up. A city bus that was meandering beneath the flyover bore the brunt of the explosion as its right side was completed blown away leaving many dead.

The late arrival of the state police made the people angrier. The awesome destructive power of the bombs forced people to scramble for safety.

The car bomb that went off near the DC court at around 10.50 am left 12 to 13 advocates dead. The dead and the injured were rushed to the Mohendra Mohan Choudhury hospital at Panbazar. Many of the dead were unrecognizable.

The Assam government sent out an alert and the district police force and the intelligence machinery have been alerted to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The army has been put on stand-by.

Speculations and blame game have already started flying thick and fast with the police claiming that it could be jehadi elements that may have triggered the explosions. Not to be left far behind, the ULFA too are dragged into it, though, through an e - mail to newspaper offices and local TV channels the ULFA have denied their involvement in this mayhem. Intelligence officials however, were quick to blame ULFA for the blasts. 

A statement issued by the self-styled “lieutenant” Anjan Borthakur on behalf of ULFA’s “Military Council” said that the group was in no way connected with these blasts. 

The statement said that ULFA had been blamed as part of a “disinformation campaign” against the separatist group. 

Most fighters in one of ULFA’s “strike battalions” have announced a ceasefire with the government. Two other battalions are in their hideouts as they are uncertain about their future and refusing to bid farewell to arms. The security forces are on the prowl and have attacked and killed many of them in recent weeks. 

“So the ULFA is striking back in a massive way by taking on soft targets,” Assam Police Chief R. N Mathur said. 

“No other group can trigger so many blasts in so many places in such a coordinated fashion.” 

He said most of the bombs had been planted in cars. 

Assam Police Intelligence Chief Khagen Sharma is of the opinion that the latest bombings proved that ULFA was “desperate for survival and does not mind killing even local people indiscriminately” 

The police are also maintaining that through various intelligence sources there was information that there could be jehadi attacks in certain parts of Assam more particularly in Guwahati. What emerges as of now is that despite having such clues the intelligence department proved themselves to be totally incapable of taking utmost care to nip this problem in the bud. Perhaps, to quote an English Daily from Guwahati, “it is the intelligence system of the terror groups that is at work and outsmarting the State intelligence. The State must wake up and face the reality”.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, is scheduled to visit Assam on Saturday, November 1st.

The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi hurriedly called a televised press conference wherein he had condemned the multiple blasts that went off in different parts of the state. He appealed to the security personnel to be on high alert while urging the people to be extra vigilant against such activities. He further said that a special task force has been set up to find those involved in these dastardly acts of violence and terrorism.

The present turmoil in Assam has prompted the State opposition political parties to demand the resignation of the present Assam government and imposition of President’s Rule. The Asom Gana Parishad, The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party are on the look out to score brownie points and have come down heavily on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his failure to protect the lives of the citizens from the attacks of outside forces.
The AGP and its President Chandra Mohan Patowary have aimed directly on Tarun Gogoi asking him to resign immediately and owning moral responsibility.
Not to be left behind, the State BJP President Ramen Deka blamed it on the State and Central government for going soft against the jehadi elements in Assam.  P.A. Sangma, a senior NCP leader, termed it as bankruptcy of intelligence and is of the opinion that Tarun Gogoi should resign.

The BJP Prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani while condemning the bomb blasts said “infiltrators and their masters have been found to be behind many ghastly incidents across the country and probably the same elements could be behind these Assam blasts also”.

However, the situation in Assam is still fluid. Sagacity and confidence building measures are the need of the hour. Collective consultations among the various political parties including the security forces and intelligence personnel along with members of the civil society should bring about a solution instead of hurling abuse at one another.

Following the multiple bomb blasts in Assam, people are perturbed and dismayed by the way the State government is functioning. There is confusion and disorder. Ganeshguri that witnessed as many as three bomb blasts in a short span of time is still reeling under tremendous pressure to bring some semblance of confidence among the people.

Early on the morning of the 31st of October 2008, a crowd had gathered to take out a procession demanding among many others, compensation to the victims. As the situation was reaching a boiling point, security forces took measures to prevent any untoward incident. However, soon after, the crowd surged which led the police to open fire resulting in the injury of five persons and the government was forced to clamp curfew for a few hours to calm the situation.

The burnt out debris of auto rickshaws, motorcycles, cars and those shops that were gutted tells a tale of sorrow. Emotions are running high as the authorities are yet to decide what steps it has to take to restore confidence among the people.

EP DESK

 

 

Bongaigaon & Barpeta Blast Claims 13 lives

 

Bonaigaon and Barpeta blasts claim 13 lives

Thirteen persons died while 67 including the Bongaigaon ASP and DSP were injured in three blasts that went off between 11 am to 11.30 am on the 31st of October 2008.

Five persons died on the spot in twin blasts that went off; one in the vegetable market behind the railway crossing in Barpeta Road at 11.28 am and the other which went off just after two minutes in front of Chowdhuri Complex close to the main market. Six other succumbed to injuries in the Barpeta Road Hospital.

A 25 year old woman and a 20 year old boy were among the 11 persons who died in the blast who have not been identified yet. 25 injured have been admitted in Barpeta Road Hospital, 12 in Barpeta Town Hospital and 7 were referred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

Family members of 16 injured have shifted the injured either to Guwahati Nursing Home or Coochbehar Hospital sources informed.

Police sources in Barpeta Road informed that both the bombs which went off in the vegetable market and in front of Chowdhuri Complex were planted in bi-cycles.

The deafening sound of the blasts created commotion in the area while many people who were not in the vicinity of the incidents initially thought that they were the sounds of powerful crackers.

A complete chaotic situation prevailed as fire broke out in front of Chowdhuri Market which engulfed the cars parked there.

In the vegetable market, the bomb was planted on a bi-cycle which was parked just behind a vegetable vendor. This went off killing the two vendors on the spot and within a few minutes, shop-keepers downed their shutters and gathered in front of Chowdhuri Complex.

Barpeta Superintendent of Police, Debojit Mukherjee said that he had been extra cautious on the security measure all along and had given top most priority on checking of vehicles at the entry point of the Barpeta  Road but the miscreants chose another way to demonstrate their presence.

“It is very unfortunate and heinous at the same time that such powerful bombs planted in bi-cycles went off in crowed public places despite our best efforts to check and stop the violence,” Mukherjee added.

He also informed that the police would not leave any stone unturned to track down the miscreants who are behind the blasts.

Altogether 45 victims of the Barpeta twin blasts have been undergoing treatment in Barpeta Civil Hospital while 9 seriously injured have been referred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.
On the same day, Bongaigaon Additional Superintendent of Police, Hridayjeet Barman and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prasanta Dutta were injured when a powerful bomb planted in a Pulsar motor-bike went off suddenly while it was being defused in Bongaigaon town  at around 11.30 am.

According to police sources, a unanimous caller informed the police about the planting of a bomb in one motor-bike parked in front of Town Store near Paglastan petrol pump. Having received the information, a police team led by Bongaigaon Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police arrived at the scene along with CRPF jawans and police constables and found the booby trapped motor-bike. “They cordoned off the entire area of Paglastan and stopped the movement of vehicles and after observing the nature of the bomb, they moved towards the nearby bus stand but on the way the bomb was detonated injuring two police officers, three CRPF jawans and two civilians,” police sources in Bongaigaon informed.

Police sources informed that it was a timed device and the whole operation was very cleverly timed and reported to the police so that the detonation of the bomb was coordinated with the arrival of security personnel.

All the injured were at first admitted in Lower Assam Nursing Home in Bongaigaon but were later shifted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

Paglastan has been very prone to blasts as on August 11 this year, suspected ULFA militants hurled a hand grenade at the Superintendent of Police’s Office in Bongaigaon district.

On May 21 last year, at least nine people were wounded, one critically, in a powerful explosion at a crowded marketplace at Paglastan in Bongaigaon town.

On August 16 this year, two bomb blasts by ULFA rocked Bongaigaon town. The first explosion took place at a police check point in the Swahidbedi area of Bongaigaon town while the next explosive went off five minutes later at Paglastan. The Bongaigaon Superintendent of Police Office is just a stone’s throw away from the Paglastan.

The trading community of the Paglastan Bazar expressed deep resent over the failure of the police to stop the recurrence of blasts which have, up till now, happened six times and taken as many as taken 7 lives in the area.

Bijoy Sharma

 

Kokrajhar - 21 deaths and rising

Kokrajhar - 21 deaths and rising

Another three blasts rocked Kokrajhar town on the same day killing at least 21 persons and injuring more than 60 people. As is the case in the other areas where the blasts have taken place, the death toll is expected to rise due to the serious condition of many of the injured.

 

The first of the three blasts in Kokrajhar took place in the vegetable market in the town at around 11.30 am killing eight people on the spot. The second bomb was detonated five minutes after the first one in the fish market and before people could even recover from the shock of these two simultaneous blasts, the third blast added to the choas  when it erupted near the railway gate in the heart of the town. The fact that the blasts occurred on the weekly market day has magnified the extent of the damage and the number of casualties immensely.

All the injured have been moved to Rupnath Brahma Civil Hospital and the staff there are working round the clock to minimise the casualty rate and save as many lives as possible. However, the overall picture is bleak.

The Chief of the BTC Mr. Hagrama Mohilary has called upon the Assam government to immediately institute a probe into this heinous act and pointed out the similarity of these blasts to those that have occurred in other parts of the country in the past few months.

Though it does little to alleviate the loss for the family members of the victims, Mr. Mohilary has announced a Rs. 1 Lakh compensation to the next of  kin of the deceased and Rs. 25 thousand to the injured persons. He himself along with his Executive Members were camped at Kokrajhar R.N.B Civil Hospital in an effort to keep up with the latest developments. Mr. Mohilary also appealed to all the people of Kokrajhar to celebrate the 30th Oct of every year as Silent Day as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives to this act of terrorism.

EP DESK