The Hindu : Front Page : Four killed, 60 injured in Assam blast

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Four killed, 60 injured in Assam blast

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: Four persons, including two women, were killed and 60 injured when suspected militants triggered a powerful blast at Joani in Assam’s Dhemaji district on Saturday night.

The police said the needle of suspicion pointed to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). However, the ULFA issued a statement on Sunday denying its involvement in the blast.

The ULFA alleged that a gang of “pseudo revolutionaries created by the enemy,” had carried out the attack with the ulterior motive of creating mistrust among the various tribes and communities.

Dhemaji Deputy Commissioner Diwakar Mishra told The Hindu over telephone that the explosion took place around 11:48 p.m. when a huge crowd was enjoying the cultural evening on the occasion of Ali Aye Lrigang — a seed sowing festival of the Mishing tribe at Mrkokselek Kristi Bhawan near Jonai Circuit House.

One person died on the spot, two succumbed to injuries at the Dhemaji civil hospital while another died at the Assam Medical College and Hospital.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced an ex gratia of Rs. 3 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs. 25,000 to each of those with grievous injuries.

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