Militants trigger two blasts in Assam

On the eve of Independence Day, suspected militants triggered two grenade blasts in Assam Wednesday, police said. No casualty was reported.

The first blast took place in Chapaguri in Chirang district when two motorcycle-riding youths lobbed a grenade around 8.40 a.m., police said.

Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered in the same district around 1.30 a.m. Police later recovered the motorcycle used by the youths.

Police launched an operation in the area but no one has been arrested yet.

The second blast took place at Dong gaon area around 9 a.m., police said. It was of low intensity.

Inspector General of Police (Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts) G.P. Singh said security arrangements are being reviewed and additional forces have been deployed at vital installations like oil fields, refineries, airports and along railway tracks and stations.

Dog squads have been pressed into service to detect explosives, he said.

Security has been intensified in Assam ahead of Independence Day, particularly after militant outfits of the region including the anti-talk faction of the ULFA called a boycott and general strike Thursday.

"We have intensified security arrangements across the state. There is nothing new in the militants' call for boycott. It has been a routine for the militants to boycott red letter days like Independence Day or Republic Day. However, we cannot take risks," said a senior official of Assam Police.

The Assam government has sealed the India-Bangladesh border in the state and the Border Security Force has been asked to keep strict vigil to stop anti-socials from entering. Besides, a night curfew has also been imposed along the inter-state boundary with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.