50 dead in serial bomb blasts in Assam in India
World Thursday, October 30th, 2008At least 50 people were killed and over 200 injured in 13 serial bomb blasts that rocked busy areas of Guwahati and three other districts in Assam on Thursday.
The powerful bombs went off simultaneously at around11.30 AM with four of them hitting capital Guwahati, threeeach in Barpeta and Kokrajhar while one in Bongaigaon, according to official sources.
At least 10 people have been killed in Guwahati, while two others died in Kokrajhar, they said.
The first blast in Guwahati occurred at a vegetable and fruit market at Ganeshguri near the flyover adjacent to the high security secretariat and the Assembly.
The blast caused a major fire in the area with smoke engulfing the entire market and nearby places.
The second bomb exploded in front of the Kamrup district deputy commissioner’s office, injuring many and destroying several cars parked there, the sources said. The third explosion rocked areas near the police station of the busy Fancy Bazar, triggering panic among shoppers, many of whom were injured, the sources said. Guwahati Superintendent of Police G P Singh said that police and fire brigade were engaged in controlling the fire. In Kokrajhar, the explosives were suspected to have been planted in a two-wheelers. Thick smoke billowed after the high intensity blasts which turned a number of cars, cycles and two wheelers into mangled heaps of metal. The casualty figures were likely to rise with the condition of many of the injured being critical, the sources said.
Meanwhile The Union Home Ministry today sought an immediate report from the Assam government on the serial blasts in Assam.
Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, who is closely monitoring the situation, spoke to Assam Chief Secretary to find out the details of the incidents, a Home Ministry spokesman said.
The ministry is keeping a constant watch on the situation, he said.
Gupta has sought a detailed report from the state government on the blasts in several districts including Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil strongly condemned the blasts. Eleven serial blasts rocked several districts of Assam, killing many people. The powerful bombs went off simultaneously shortly before noon.
Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday have strongly condemned the series of bomb blasts that hit Indian state Assam, resulting in the killing of at least 50 people.
President Zardari in his message to the Indian leadership said terrorism and extremism needed to be eradicated in all its forms and manifestations. He also expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of innocent people in the blasts.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in his separate message to his counterpart strongly condemned the acts of terrorism, and also expressed grief over the killing of innocent people in the blasts.
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on Oct 30 2008. Filed under