India

A dozen blasts kill 56 in Assam

Article published on the 2008-10-30 Latest update 2008-10-30 12:35 TU

Site of one bomb blast in Guwahati
Photo: Reuters/Utpal Baruah

At least 56 people were killed and 300 injured Thursday in a dozen blasts that exploded in towns and markets in the state of Assam, in northeastern India.

Police say the 12 explosions took place within the space of one hour. 

Five of the explosions took place in the state capital, Guwahati, killing 25 people mainly in busy market areas. A blast in front of the District Magistrate's Court left five people dead.

Eleven people were killed in three explosions in the western district of Kokrajhar and 12 in nearby Barpeta district.

"This is an act of cowardice... designed and carried out to spread terror," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. "We shall deal with the situation firmly."

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.  They take place six weeks after a series of bombs killed 20 people in New Delhi. A group calling itself the Indian Mujahedeen claimed those blasts.

Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, said initial investigations showed some of the bombs had been tied to bicycles and packed with explosives to trigger fires.

"The needle of suspicion is on the ULFA,"he declared.

Previous bombings in Assam have largely been blamed on the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which has been fighting for independence since 1979.

In the past two decades, more than 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between insurgents and government troops.

Public support for the ULFA has declined in recent years after a series of attacks in public places that claimed heavy civilian casualties.

A recent survey by a civil society group, the Assam Public Works, said over 95 percent of people in the state rejected the ULFA's demand for independence.

Non-Assamese people make up almost one-quarter of Assam's population of 26 million. 

Assam state is known for its tea, timber and oil reserves.