12 years after serial bombings killed 88 innocents, 'Black Day' observed across Assam

Guwahati: Although 12 years have gone by since a series of blasts rocked Assam, the terror still lingers on in the collective consciousness of the state's residents. Today, people across Assam are observing a 'black day' in remembrance of the victims of the bombings.

In the three blasts in Guwahati at Ganeshguri, Kachari and Panbazar, as many as 53 lives were lost. Blasts also took place in Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon. In all, as many as 88 people were killed in the deadly blasts. In Guwahati, 41 people were killed; in Kokrajhar, 21; and in Barpeta Road, 15.

On 2 November, four more succumbed to their injuries here. Three died at Gauhati Medical College Hospital, while another died at the Basistha Army Hospital. Security forces later said that timers were used to execute the well-planned blasts.

Notably, the blasts took place in the afternoon -- a time when the streets were choc-a-bloc with officegoers and students.

The blasts took place just after the Diwali holidays making the blasts even more unexpected and adding to a toll count. The bomb at Ganeshguri was planted in a car barely 100 metres away from then-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's official residence.

Union Minister Shakeel Ahmed confirmed 10 blasts took place, however, reports did indicate the number could have been as high as eighteen.
Tpoday, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Chief Minister of the state, paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the series of blastsat a solemn event organised in Guwahati today. The Kammrup (Metro) district administration too organized a tribute ceremony for the departed.

The Aftermath of the Blasts:

National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB - R) chief Ranjan Daimary, who was the mastermind behind the blasts, was sentenced to life in prison by a CBI court last year. He was briefly let out on bail earlier this year for the signing of the tripartite Bodo Accord in January last.

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