Explosion in Lower Assam kills one, injures 11

GUWAHATI: Ranjan Daimary-led anti-talks faction of militant outfit National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) triggered a powerful explosion in crowded market place in Udulguri town in Lower Assam districts resulting in the death of one person and critically injuring 11 others on Friday.

Superintendent of police of the district, AP Tiwari told ET, "The explosion took place outside an eatery shop in the Udulguri town around 6.45pm."

The explosion killed an employee of the eatery shop. A group of the NDFB militants hurled a grenade. Sources in the police, however, admitted this might be an attempt to pressurize the traders to pay ransom.

The irate public ransacked a local hospital. They complained that there was no doctor to attend the injured, as the doctors had left early for home in the evening owing to the Bhogali Bihu celebrations.

There were intelligence alerts that NDFB and ULFA are looking to strike during the festive season and in the run-up to Republic Day. The ministry of home affairs had also alerted the Northeastern region.

NDFB has suffered major reverses in the hands of security personnel in recent times when several of their cadres were killed or apprehended. Sources in the police admitted that the anti-talks NDFB has established bases in Meghalaya and the blast may have been triggered to prove their strength.

Udulguri district, which is under the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD), is witnessing deterioration of the law and order.

The sister of Ranjan Daimary, Lilawati Daimary, who was a school teacher, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Udulguri district of January 4 this year. Some leaders of the pro-talks group of NDFB were also killed recently.