Twin blasts rock Nalbari, 7 killed, 54 hurt RAMEN KALITA NALBARI, Nov 22 – Suspected ULFA militants today triggered two powerful bomb blasts in the heart of Nalbari town barely 50 metres from the Sadar Police Station, which killed seven people and injured 54 others at around 10 am this morning. The IEDs, planted on two bicycles, were kept in front of a tea stall and a saloon which went off within 15 minutes of each other.
The deceased have been identified as Paban Thakur, the owner of a nearby saloon, Sikandar Thakur, an employee of the saloon, Dipu Das, a driver, Ganesh Das, a businessman, Keshab Das, an employee of an insurance company and Mahabat Ali, a gaonburah of Nalbari town.
Of the 54 injured persons who were admitted in Swahid Mukunda Kakati Civil Hospital here, 49 were referred to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in serious condition. The blasts created a hue and cry among the relatives of the dead and injured persons who thronged the civil hospital.
According to eyewitness accounts, the first bomb exploded in front of a hotel at around 9.55 am, which injured three minors. A scooter and two bikes were damaged in the blast.
After the low-intensity explosion, as soon as people gathered at the spot the second bomb went off, which was of a very high intensity.
One Ramesh Thakur of the said saloon, who lost his elder brother and a relative in the blast, told this correspondent that when the first bomb exploded he ran to the backside of his shop. His elder brother Paban then tried to down the shutter when the second bomb went off. In this explosion, five people died on the spot, including Paban and Sikandar, while another succumbed to his injuries on his way to the GMCH.
Sources said that today being Sunday the Nalbari Thana chowk witnessed a thin crowd, otherwise the number of casuality would have been higher.
The Superintendent of Police, Nalbari, Jitmal Doley told this correspondent that ULFA militants are suspected to be behind the blasts, which were meant to make its presence felt by creating panic among innocent people.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta also visited the blast site to take stock of the situation. He directed the security agencies to intensify the security arrangements. Talking to this correspondent Mahanta said that the blasts are the handi work of the ULFA.
According to the Nalbari civil hospital sources, only six persons including a physician, Dr Hari Chandra Kalita, have been undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Nalbari district unit of AASU has called a down-to-dusk Nalbari district bandh in protest against the brutal killing of innocent people in the blast. The blasts were also condemned by the Nalbari district unit of AJYCP, NCP, Nalbari Zilla Sahitya Sabha and MASS, among others.
Our Staff Reporter adds : Over 30 people injured in the Nalbari blasts were today admitted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, of which the condition of three are stated to be critical.
One of the victims was declared brought dead by the GMCH doctors, sources said.
Among those admitted to the GMCH, two are minors.
Two of the injured were also shifted to the GNRC from the GMCH.
