Assam to observe Mourning Day on August 16

Assam would observe 'State Mourning Day' on August 16 in memory of the innocent people, including children killed in bomb blasts on Independence Day in 2004 at Dhemaji.
Official sources said the day would be observed in all districts and sub-divisional headquarters like in the previous years and the national flag will be flown at half mast in all government offices and educational institutions.
Public meetings would be convened centrally in all district headquarters and arrangements will be made by deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers.
Officers and staff of all departments have been asked to observe the day throughout the state and wear black badges on the occasion, according to an official release.

Ministers, MPs and MLAs have been asked to attend the programmes in their respective districts or sub divisions.
Educational institutions in the state have also been asked to observe the day and pledge to work unitedly for peace and social harmony and raise their voices against all acts of militant violence.
Black badges would be distributed to all educational institutions, the release added.
A total 17 school children, including nine girls, were killed and 40 injured in a bomb explosion at an official Independence Day function in Assam's Dhemaji town on the fateful day. Years later ULFA leader Paresh Barua had owned responsibility and admitted had exploded a powerful IED.