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.

Notice Served to NDFB by Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal

The unlawful activities (Prevention) Tribunal has served notice to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) to show cause as to why it should not be declared as an unlawful association and why order should not be made conferming the declaration, said an official press release here today. The unlawful activities (Prevention) Tribunal was constituted by the Central Government with Justice SN Agarwal, Judge of Delhi High Court for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause declaring the National Democratic Front of Bodoland as unlawful association.Mention can be made that the Central Government has already declared the NDFB as unlawful association under the provision of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, which was also constituted as per provision of the aforesaid act has now served the show cause notice to NDFB, which may file its submission to registrar of the Tribunal at Delhi High Court Building and may also appear through a duly authorised person or lawyer on or before February 25 next.