Assam serial blasts: ULFA claims responsibility

A series of four serial blasts ripped through Assam soon after Republic Day celebrations concluded.

This comes ten days after the Assam police informed India’s central intelligence agencies about United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) conducting reconnaissance activities.

“There have been four low intensity IED blasts in Upper Assam. There has been no casualties or damage to property. We would leave no stone unturned to neutralise the perpetrators. That’s our solemn assurance to people,” said additional director general of police, G.P Singh.

Other state police officials said ULFA had spearheaded and carried out the attack and had claimed responsibility for the same.

According to intelligence reports, reviewed by Mint, a group of ULFA cadres had been seeking shelter in Assam’s Thinsa circle area in the Tirap district.

“The cadres have reportedly completed their assigned task (details not known). This group was tasked to recruit new cadres but has not been able to recruit new cadres so far,” the report said.

Intelligence reports from Guwahati in Assam also stated that the “assigned work could be the plan of the outfit to create disturbance, sabotage activities in Assam in view of Republic Day and the history of ULFA and other secessionist outfits declaring boycott of the celebration of Republic Day.”

An alert has also been sounded across Manipur, with police personnel now keeping an eye on any activity of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in the state.

On Sunday, the Assam police said the first blast took place at Teok Haat in Sonari under Charaideo District, the second blast near Duliajan Police Station, the third at Marwari Patty near Gurudwara in Dibrugarh and the fourth near Circuit House in Graham Bazaar in Dibrugarh. No casualties have been reported from the site of the blasts.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an enquiry into the attack. “Strongly condemn the bomb blasts in a few places of Assam. This cowardly attempt to create terror on a sacred day only exhibits the frustration of the terror groups after their total rejection by the people. Our government will take the sternest action to bring the culprits to book,” he said.