Author: Staff Reporter
Publication: The Telegraph
Date: October 29, 2006
URL: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061029/asp/frontpage/story_6930259.asp
Chhat Puja celebrations in the Assam capital
turned macabre this evening as twin explosions ripped through the banks of
the Brahmaputra at Soonsali, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 12 others.
The first blast, which killed the boy, took
place at 5.10 pm. The second bomb went off 10 minutes later, after the area
was cleared of people and cordoned off. The victim was identified as Krishna
Mukh-iya, a resident of Bamunimaidam B.G. Colony. He hails from Begusarai
in Bihar.
An official of Noonmati police station said
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) may have been used to trigger the blasts
that left two-feet-deep craters in the ground. "It appears the bombs
were planted underground," he said.
The incident took place near a stage constructed
by Pub Soonsali Chhat Puja Samiti for a function later in the evening.
Reinforcements have been sent in from Noonmati
police station to quell tension in the area, where thousands congregated to
observe the festival. Additional superintendent of police (city) Rajen Singh
said there were no reports of more casualties in the blasts.
Witnesses said 12 people, including children,
sustained injuries in the explosion and the melee that followed. A source
at Gauhati Medical College Hospital confirmed that a 14-year-old boy, Anil
Mukhiya, had been admitted with serious injuries. Police said two others,
Malti Barman and Dilshad were also rushed to the GMCH.
Police said Dispur MLA Akon Bora had attended
a Chhat Puja meeting at the spot barely 15 minutes before the blasts were
triggered.
Security has been beefed up in the city, including
the Sukleswar and Fancy Bazar ghats, where lakhs of devotees will assemble
tomorrow to offer prayers to the Sun God.
Though there has been no official confirmation,
a senior city police official said the involvement of Ulfa could not be ruled
out. "We got some indication from two Ulfa linkmen apprehended recently
that the outfit may try to create trouble during Chhat Puja, but we could
not prevent it," he said.
The two linkmen are Achyut Talukdar of Mukalmua
and Nripen Barman of Barama in Nalbari district. City police have not made
their arrest public so far.
