At least 48 people are feared to have died and about 100 injured in 18 blasts that rocked Assam on Thursday a little before noon. Four blasts occurred in Guwahati's crowded areas.
The casualty figures are likely to rise with the condition of many of the injured being critical. The injured included many women and children.
Powerful, high-intensity bombs went off simultaneously at around 11.30 am. The first blast in Guwahati occurred at a vegetable and fruit market at Ganeshguri near the flyover adjacent to the high security secretariat and the Assembly.
The blast caused a major fire in the area with smoke engulfing the entire market and nearby places. 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.
Assam government too 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)
Posted By Mohammed-Thursday, October 30, 2008
I do agree that the government is clueless but now we INDIANS should do something to prevent any such accidents, Every one is just blaming on each other or on the government but no one is thinking of what to do. Let me also tell you my Brother and sister INDIANS that a TERRIST is NEVER a MUSLIM or HINDU, They don't belong to any religion. ISLAM means Peace and love not terror. If we really want Peace and love to spread all over INDIA then first we should stop blaming religions. TERROR DOES NOT BELONG TO ANY RELIGION.
Posted By B.N.Mitra-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Policitcal inconsistench,corruption in bureaucracy,unscrupulous Businessmenand reducing the patriots -causing increase of terrorism. We should immediately start to follow united we stand divided we fall . B.N.Mitra
Posted By Shruuti-Thursday, October 30, 2008
TERROR TERROR EVERYWHERE TERRORISTS ARE EMBEDDED HERE AND THERE MINISTERS AFFIRMATIONS WASTEFUL, FREE OF COST MAINTAINING DEMOCRACY AT THE LIFES COST DEMOCRACY FAILED TO PROVIDE PEACE AND BREAD OH! TELL ME, IS THIS COUNTRY LIVE OR DEAD?
Posted By Dipankar-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Seriously time has come to stop spreading vindictive rumours and to start working together to make our motherland a safe place for everyone.This kind of bomb blast is not going to help any society at all.Blaming the government only will not work, as it is not practically possible to check every corner of the strret. We should not forget that we are the people who are working in all the government departments. If we are sincere, how could this happen to us?
Posted By Ipsita Chakraborty-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Another day ,another blast, it seems to have become an everyday ritual,the people only clearing up the mess after the disasters,and for people staying away from their home-towns,its endless worrying about their closed ones.If the terrorists do not care as to how many innocent people they are killing for their so-called cause , why is the governmment showing such a soft stance? The politicians are safe,we are not.
Posted By ankush-Thursday, October 30, 2008
We have a chief minister in Assam who says there are only a handful of Bangladeshis in Assam...wonder what hell have to say about this. Bangladeshis will colonise Assam within the next two decades...with the full support of our secular political parties.
Posted By Akeel-Thursday, October 30, 2008
I think Mr.Shivraj Patil must be deciding about his attire to be worn in front of the news channel
Posted By DUSHMANTA TALUKDAR-Thursday, October 30, 2008
THIS IS NO SURPRISE OR SHOCK THAT SERIAL BOMB BLASTED IN ASSAM.INFACT,IT WAS MUCH EXPECTED FOR SUCH AN INCIDENT TO OCCUR.AFTER SO MANY SERIAL BLASTS OCCURED IN THE COUNTRY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS,THE ASSAM GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN ASSAM.THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO FAILED DRASTICALLY TO PROVIDE SECURITY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.THE MUJAHIDEENS CAUSING SUCH AN INCIDENT ARE THE ILLEGAL BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANTS SETTLED IN ASSAM.THE PRESENT CONGRESS GOVERNMENT NURTURING AND SHELTERING THESE TERRORISTS SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST THEM.PRESIDENTS RULE AND TOUGH ANTI-TERROR LAWS SHOULD BE IMPOSED IN ASSAM.
Posted By Radhakrishna-Thursday, October 30, 2008
This is yet another example which showcases that the Government is clueless on terror . Only solution i believe is to join hands with opposition and look forward to pull all these activities from root cause itself, else it will become uncontrolable. :(
Posted By wajid shah-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Governament and other political parties now have very good oppertunity to divert the focus from current issues of maharashtra. this is a good chance for them, blood in assam should not be waisted.
Posted By brij mohan-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Dsicipline is more important than freedom this was the statement from a person reacting on the incidents of riots and arson on his release. the person was none other than Mr nelson mandela who had lost all his youthful life in prison still he had more significance of discipline than freedom for peaceful existence of any society. we have failed to create a disciplined citizen and define the nationhood where meagre 20-25% of the population rule that too with fructured mandate and pursue vote and note politics than service to country and adminiter the citizen. its high time we need to ponder and revamp the whole idea of India - as a nation or union of states.
Posted By francis-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Another act on ruthless inhumanity! Why cannot the govt act and have fast track courts to give the already in custody terrorists given severe sentences which will deter more such attacks happen? The cases prolong for years on end at the end of which they are either acquitted or released for want of evidence! In the mean time more blasts and more people die!
Posted By Sharmilee-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Collaboration of foreign terrorists with local terrorists is a deadly combination. We cant hold government responsible for everything. The solution lies in timely resolving the local issues, bringing more Muslims in IB and Police, Strengthening our intelligence network. We the people of India should become more conscious. Bangladeshi issue and infiltration problem should be taken seriously. We were disappointed when our honorable PM didnt mention this issue during his recent visit to Assam. Come to Delhi and you will find Bangladeshis in every corner of the capital living there for earning livelihood.
Posted By Toby Chakravarty-Thursday, October 30, 2008
This isnt an act by the ULFA. This has definitely been carried out by some Muslim group. The central goverments apathy towards my motherland is proving costly and this would continue till the time this stupid government at the centre understands the magnitude of the socio-economic ills of the North-East and does something substantial to align that part of the country with the main stream.
Posted By Prashant Prabhakar -Thursday, October 30, 2008
The common man is paying the price of the dirty politics played by politicians - who not only have blocked the entry of honest person into the system but also promote rules and regulations (officially/non-officially) that benefit to their political ambitions.
Posted By ravi-Thursday, October 30, 2008
When ever there is an attack or a bomb blast this govt just thinks for the moment that the Anti-terror laws needs to be changed and bla bla... They give the statement but they never bring into reality. This simply shows their in-ability to do work.
Posted By shyju-Thursday, October 30, 2008
In indian history we have never seen such a helpless govt. Day by day terrorist attacks are increasing in this country and this govt is sitting idle without any responsiblity. Howe long this will continue.?None of indian cities are safe. One side kashmir is burning another side now blasts in assam and in south kerala is become another safe home for terrorists.100 times i say our govt is helpless to stop all these kinds of attacks. ,Then why u rule india? ensure the safty of local people first then go behind nuclear deals and all .. very sad
Posted By rohit-Thursday, October 30, 2008
this is again a fallout of the sympathetic attitude of the current government towards bangladeshis. while politicians of suspect origin fight for the cause of bangladeshis, our own indigenous politicians who are in power right now, proudly claim that there are no bangladeshis in assam. see the pitiable condition.
Posted By sanjib-Thursday, October 30, 2008
This was bound to happen. The govt. refuses to acknowledge the influx of illegal migrants on which it is heavily dependent for its votes and has tried to brush the recent incidents of the Pakistani flag being hoisted at a number of places, under the carpet. Wake up India before its too late!
Posted By Chintan-Thursday, October 30, 2008
I dont understand what special steps ministry would take now . We are tired of watching news and await any action . Today if our neighbourly state which is affected tommorow it can be us . It is time we unite and take actions on this low act of killing innocent people .
Posted By Pranjal -Thursday, October 30, 2008
This is not an undeclared war, rather a ful fedged war against the nation. If the political parties remain silent even now and keep themselves busy in issues like biharis vs. marathis, the country will soon lose this war. Soon there will no election to fight.
Posted By shantanu-Thursday, October 30, 2008
it is okay, 1 week or so, and things will be back on track. and yes since its not metro, it would be well forgotten in a day from national TV. Everybody for themselves. Save your self and feel happy that we are not victims. From Govt perspective so many people dies in India, so why to worry about so few people.
Posted By Alakesh-Thursday, October 30, 2008
In my opinion Pakistani ISI and Bangladeshi Jehadis are behind thiese blast. Recently a clash is going on between Local anf Bangladeshi immigrant. We should protect our country from Bangladesh. They are dangerer than Pakstanis. Pakistanit attack from front but Bangladeshis attack from back.
Posted By Manisha-Thursday, October 30, 2008
This is an act of inhumanity. I can understand the pain of the people living in such difficulties. This is one of the major blasts country has seen in the past few years. Why these terrorists are killing the innocent people?
Posted By Antara-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Another cruel attack by the Bangladeshi community in Assam. Why does the govt not take steps against them.
Posted By Kunal-Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hasnt the government learnt yet. We dont need moon missions. We dont need liquidity infusions. We dont need fresh elections. What the country is crying out for is national integration. What we need is a little understanding and a lot more education. Is anybody listening?
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070561&ch=10/30/2008%203:34:00%20PM
