Assam reverberates with bomb blasts on India’s Republic Day
ULFA-I claims responsibility, vows to continue resistance
Guwahati: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-Independent) claimed responsibility for a series of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts across Guwahati on India’s Republic Day, today, aiming to disrupt celebrations and highlight Assam’s “lost sovereignty.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, the explosions occurred in areas including Lalmati and Beharbari, sending shockwaves through the city despite heightened security measures.
The first reported blast took place at DV Parking in Beharbari around 8:00 AM, filling the vicinity with smoke and triggering panic among residents. Parking staff suspected that a bomb-like device had been planted before the explosion. However, contrary to earlier claims, no explosion was reported in the Rehabari area, police sources clarified.
ULFA-I, in its statement, emphasized that the attacks were not aimed at civilians but intended as a protest against India’s Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, which the group alleges undermine Assam’s historical identity. The outfit reiterated its commitment to armed resistance until Assam’s sovereignty is restored, urging the Indian government to acknowledge the region’s distinct history.
While ULFA-I pledged to continue its resistance, the blasts have reignited debates over the ongoing conflict in Assam, with political and civil society leaders urging both the group and the Indian government to engage in meaningful dialogue. KMS-8K