A seven-year-old boy was killed and 30 others, including three children, wereinjured in two grenade blasts in northern Assam’s Sonitpur district on Thursday. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
The first blast occurred around 3 p.m. at the crowded weekly market at Garubandha near the Army cantonment in Misamari.
The second blast took place nearly three hours later at Rakhakhmari, about 18 km off Dhekiajuli town.
Initial reports suggested that two persons were injured. Details are awaited.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Northern Range) S.N. Singh told The Hindu that the Garubandha market blast was suspected to be the handiwork of anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi condemned the incidents and described the blasts as an act of cowardice. Opposition Asom Gana Parishad, while condemning the attack on innocent civilians by militants, accused the government of failing to protect the lives and properties of citizens.
The blasts came nearly two months after the one at Bhimajuli village in the same district in which 12 people were shot dead by militants of NDFB (anti-talks faction).
