At least 8 people were injured after a grenade blast rocked Assam’s capital city Guwahati on Wednesday evening.
The ULFA(I) has claimed responsibility for the blast.
The incident took place just in front of the shopping mall, Guwahat Central.
Police said that the incident took place at around 7.45 pm when a blast rocked Jonali area of Guwahati.
Senior police officials have rushed to the spot immediately but refused to divulge the details of the explosion.
Most of the injured have been admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Four security personnel including two CRPF and SSB jawans are among the injured.
The SSB jawans have been identified as Amulya Lalon and Ramesh Lal.
The two injured civilians – father-daughter duo – have been identified as Amit Kr Khersa (42) and Riya Khera (15).
They have been admitted to a private hospital in the city.
The other injured have been identified as Fardeen Hasan Rahman (21), Sultan Jahidur Rahman (52), Vijay Kr Shah (22) and Kalyan Baishya.
Talking to media persons at the spot, city police commissioner Deepak Kumar said, “Six people have been injured in the blast. The injured have been admitted to the hospital. We are investigating to find out who is behind the blast.”
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has vehemently condemned the blast.
Sonowal has ordered state director general of police (DGP) Kuladhar Saikia to institute an inquiry into the incident. He also asked to immediately nab those involved in the incident.
In a statement Sonowal said “nobody would be allowed to commit such heinous crimes and strong action
would be against those behind this dastardly act”.
DGP Saikia has also visited the spot to take stock of the situation.
Talking to the media at the spot, Saikia said, “We are yet to ascertain who are behind the blast. But we will be able to nab them. They will also be punished.”
Assam education minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya also visited the spot.
Minister of state for health Pijush Hazarika met the injured at the GMCH.
The blast took place on the day when chief minister Sonowal reviewed the law and order situation and asked the top brass of the police to put a tab on criminal activities and provide security to every city dweller.
Also read: Assam CM Sonowal reviews law and order scenario
The chief minister chaired a high-level review meeting with the top brass of the home department and made it categorically clear that a fool-proof security cover should be made in Guwahati to curb criminal activities and provide security to all.
He also said police must be ready to deal with any situation emanating from cyber crime and its manifestations. Sonowal also said that the cases involving women and children must be dealt with sensibly and due diligence should be given to dispose them quickly.
The chief minister further said that to ensure safety, the cops of the city should go one step ahead and work on an exhaustive mapping to deal with the criminal activities sternly.
He also asked the home department to strengthen the intelligence gathering system and put in place a robust security system in the city.
The CM also reiterated the need of strengthening security arrangements so that everybody in the city gets a sense of security.