5 killed, over 50 injured in 3 blasts; Ulfa behind attacks

ON THE TERROR TRAIL

In a gory start to the new year, five people were killed and over 50 injured in three blasts triggered by banned Ulfa here today, shortly before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s arrival in the state, where serial explosions had claimed 88 lives just two months ago.

Three people were killed and 35 injured, including four women, when a bomb planted in front of a closed sweet shop exploded near upmarket Bhangagarh flyover on the busy Guwahati-Shillong road at around 5.45 pm.

Two persons died on way to hospital while another succumbed to his injuries at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, said DGP G M Srivastava who blamed Ulfa for the incidents.

Claiming that the police was on alert, he said it was able to chase one of the persons behind the first blast who dropped the bomb from a motorcycle but managed to escape.

Chidambaram held a meeting with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who admitted to lapses saying the security forces could not prevent the blasts, despite having prior information.

Gogoi spoke to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee seeking India’s diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh so that north eastern insurgent groups do not find shelter in that country.

Chidambaram told Gogoi that he would take up the matter with Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to take over as Bangladesh Prime Minister soon.

A bomb kept in a bicycle exploded at a market in the Bhootnath area, the route which Chidambaram was to take on his way from the airport, under the Baralumukh police station around 5.30 pm, in which two persons were killed and 12 others injured, official sources said.

An Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) kept in a Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC) dustbin went off at around 3.30 pm injuring three persons in Birubari Tiniali area.

The blasts came a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s arrival here tomorrow enroute Shillong to inaugurate the Indian Science Congress there on January 3.

Chidmabaram arrived at the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on a two-day visit to the state to review Assam’s law and order situation and attend a meeting of the Unified Command headed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Gogoi said:“Definitely it is the handiwork of Ulfa and there is no doubt about it.”

Soon after his arrival, Chidambaram was briefed by Gogoi about the situation in the wake of today’s blasts.

Gogoi said he would seek more central forces and request Chidambaram not to withdraw 1,400 paramilitary personnel from the state.