At least 12 people, including two Seema Shashastra Bal personnel, were injured in a grenade blast near a police checkpoint on Guwahati’s upscale Zoo Road on Wednesday evening.
Eyewitnesses claimed the grenade was lobbed around 7.45 p.m. from an SUV that sped past the checkpoint near a shopping mall. The incident took place hours after Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the law and order situation and asked the police to curb criminal activities.
“Twelve injured people have been admitted at Guwahati Medical College Hospital and two private hospitals. The condition of most of them is stable now,” Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The two injured security personnel have been identified as Amulya Ratan Mahato and Ramesh Lal.
The police said a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits. “We will leave no stone unturned to find out who is behind the blast,” City Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar said.
“We are trying to find out if the United Liberation Front of Asom cadres in Tinsukia district are involved [in the blast],” Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia told The Hindu .
The police had intensified checking of vehicles following intelligence inputs that outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom was planning to carry out a subversive mission.
Local TV channels, meanwhile, have claimed that the outfit’s military chief Paresh Baruah called up to claim responsibility for the attack.
