Powerful blast on railway tracks in Kokrajhar, Assam

Passengers of the Howrah-Guwahati down Garibrath Express had a providential escape on Sunday when a powerful bomb exploded on the railway tracks minutes after it passed Goabari in lower Assam's Kokrajhar district. There was no casualty or injury.

The bomb suspected to have been planted by the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) exploded at 1:10 am two minutes after the train passed the area between Gossaigaon and Fakiragram, police said. The blast blew away three feet of railway track and left a two feet deep crater at the spot, they said.

Tribute to blast victims : Candles, tears for wounds still raw

Colours formed a myriad images on canvases under Ganeshguri flyover this morning as painters paid tribute to victims of the October 30 blasts in their way.

One artist was inspired to paint a dove and another painted a flyover joining two human bodies. These paintings today stood at the same spot, where four years ago, blood stained the ground and ominous clouds of acrid, black smoke filled the air.

Veteran artist Gauri Barman painted a bloodstained bird. “The bird, the symbol of peace, lies dead instead of spreading its wings in the air. At the same time, I am also trying to say that we have failed to do anything for the families of the victims.”

A few metres away, stood the newly unveiled martyrs’ memorial. Sculptor Biren Singha’s installation is a reminder that like the fallen leaves of the tree, many lives were snuffed out before their time. The diya at the centre is waiting for a time of peace when it will be lit, Singha said.

Guwahati blast 2008 - 4 years later, victims continue to struggle

It’s a day that makes scores of families weep, hundreds shudder and gives thousands goose bumps.

October 30, 2008, may go down as one of the darkest days in Assam history but Naresh Tumung, 35, does not even remember the horrific instant that changed his and his family’s life forever.

The one-time autorickshaw driver battled with death for eight months after the powerful blast at Ganeshguri maimed his left hand and left leg and damaged his brain. Though he won that battle, he lost much more.

Today, living with his mother, Gulapi, in a rickety bamboo hut provided by people of his locality at Hengerabari, he lives off his brother’s income and has no memory whatsoever of who he was before that fateful day. Even his wife was taken away by her family members on the day of the blast. His pastime — playing chess with neighbours who drop by every day to check his progress.

Memorial to be unveiled for 2008 Guwahati blast victims

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi will unveil a swahid bedi below Ganeshguri flyover at the site of the 2008 serial blasts on Tuesday to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

October 30 marks the fourth anniversary of the tragedy and a memorial service is also being organised by the Kamrup (metro) district administration in collaboration with the state government.

Around 90 people died and many were injured during the serial blasts, which occurred at Ganeshguri, Panbazar and near CJM Court at Kachari.

Assamese sculptor Biren Singha has created the memorial at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh.

“Like every year, this time, too, we are organising a memorial service to pay tribute to the people who had lost their lives during the serial blasts. A prayer service will be followed by lighting of lamps by the public. The chief minister will inaugurate the memorial on the occasion. The families of the victims are likely to be present during the service,” said Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri.

Serial blasts rock Guwahati : scores injured

Four serial bomb blasts rocked Guwahati on Thursday. The blast sites are reported as Pan bazar, Fancy bazaar and Ganeshguri. Two of these occurred in the crowded market of Pan Bazar area. All of these are busy commercial areas of the city and as of now more scores of people are reported to be injured in the blasts.

The blasts took place within 10 minutes of each other. One blast reportedly occurred near the Chief Minister's residence.

Three more blasts are reported in Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts in Lower Assam.
Reports of at least 6 more blasts in upper Assam are also coming in but they can't be confirmed as of yet.

There are also reports of blasts at Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts. Nature of explosives still unknown. More details awaited.

Update :

Eleven serial blasts rocked several districts of Assam on Thursday, including three in Guwahati, killing at least ten persons and injuring over 50 others.
The powerful bombs went off simultaneously at around 1130 IST, one of them exploding in front of the Kamrup district deputy commissioner's office in Guwahati, official sources said.
Two other bombs exploded at Ganeshguri, near the capital complex where five persons were killed, and Fancy Bazar area, they said.
There were three blasts also in Barpeta district, while two explosions occurred in Bongaigaon. Two persons were killed in twin blasts in Kokrajhar districts, the sources added.
Casualty figures are likely to rise as many of the injured are reported to be critical. The wounded included many women and children.
The first blast in Guwahati occurred at a vegetable and fruit market at Ganeshguri, near the flyover adjacent to the high security secretariat and Assembly.
The blast caused a major fire in the area, the smoke engulfing the entire market and nearby places.
The next blast occurred in front of the DC's office, injuring many and destroying several cars parked there.
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 the police and fire brigade are engaged in controlling the fire.
In Kokrajhar, the explosives were suspected to have been planted on 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.
Some roadside restaurants were among the worst hit.