At least 61 people have been killed and over 200 injured in 12 serial blasts in Assam.Probably one of the most powerful blast to have rocked Guwahati, the impact of the blast indicate that the nature of the explosives used in these blasts was different from the kind of excplosives used earlier.
There were six near-simultaneous blasts in Guwahati at about 11:30 am on Thursday in crowded market places --Ganeshguri, Pan Bazaar Fancy bazaar and the District Court complex. The high-intensity blasts set off fire in several areas.
Guwahati Superintendent of Police G P Singh said that the police and fire brigade were engaged in controlling the fire.
The next blast occurred in front of the DC's office injuring many and destroying several cars parked there, the sources said.
The third explosion rocked areas near the police station of the busy Fancy Bazar, triggering panic among shoppers, many of whom were injured, the sources said.
Two other bombs exploded at Ganeshguri near the capital complex and Fancy Bazar area.
Three blasts took place in Barpeta district, while two explosions occurred in Bongaigaon. Two persons were killed in twin blasts in Kokrajhar districts, the sources said.
In Kokrajhar, the explosives were suspected to have been planted in a two-wheeler.
Following the blasts, which the police suspect to be the handiwork of the banned ULFA and HUJI extremists, a red alert was sounded across the state. Later, curfew was imposed in Guwahati after angry crowds attack ambulances and fire engines.
Ganeshguri is one of the worst hit area. There have been several blasts in this area earlier but what was unusual this time was the reaction of the people. People reacted, almost erupted, in angry mob violence - pelting stones, setting vehicles on fire and even targeting the media.
As Guwahati tried to get on its feet, news of other blasts from Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Baripeta came in. Ironically in Baripeta, the police found a bomb at 9 am but by the time they could find experts to defuse it, the bomb exploded. Fortunately since the area had been cleared, there were no deaths there.
The state government struggled to find answers.
"If it is ULFA behind the blast then the outfit has reasserted its strength. If other outfits are involved, then it is a matter of greater concern. Outfits like HuJI have some presence here and the Maoists have entered North-east already," said Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, Assam.
"It is not improbable that dynaminc of terrorism in Assam and in North-East may have changed and that demands a change of template in counter-insurgency operations. The borders have been sealed, para-military forces deployed but it seems it will be a long time that the state will recover from its worst ever terror attack," he said.
Assam government also appeared to go along the police line. "It is very early to make a conclusion but ULFA has a history of triggering serial blasts," Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters minutes after the explosions.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil condemned the blasts. Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmed said there was no intelligence failure. However, Leader of Opposition L K Advani charged that the "UPA has completely failed to curb terror," adding "it seems Bangladeshi militants are behind the blasts."
The Union Home Ministry is seeking an immediate report from the Assam government on the serial blasts. Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta spoke to Assam Chief Secretary to find out the details of the incidents. (With PTI inputs)
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