Curfew in Blast-hit Area of Assam ahead of Patil’s visit

Guwahati: In a bid to control violent protesters, the authorities on Friday clamped curfew in blast-hit Ganeshguri in Guwahati, Assam. The decision to clamp curfew was taken after police resorted to firing to disperse protesters accusing police of delayed action after as many as 13 explosions rocked the state on Thursday and claimed 77 lives while injuring 470 others. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will visit other blast sites, Kokrajhar and Barpeta, later in the day.

Patil is also scheduled to hold a high-level meeting at the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in the evening.

Meanwhile, a total shut down was observed today in Kokrajhar on a call given by VHP and the BJP, while schools and educational institutions remained closed in Guwahati in the wake of the blasts.

A team of National Security Guards (NSG) experts has completed the survey of blast sites and concluded that car bombs were used in blasts.

Security has been beefed up across the state.

BJP leader L K Advani this morning visited the blast site near the Deputy Commissioner's office where he faced a group of angry lawyers who shouted slogans 'Advani go back'.

He also visited the Guwahati Medical College Hospital and met the injured in the blast.

Meanwhile, all examinations scheduled under the Gauhati University and State Education Board of Assam (SEBA) have been cancelled till further directive.

Attendance in the offices was thin and in many areas shops and business establishments, particularly those in and around the blast site remained closed. Few public transport were seen plying on the roads in the morning.

Opposition Asom Gana Parishad is observing a 'Black Day' today with all its leaders and cadres sporting black badges.

Lawyers of both Gauhati High Court and Sessions Court in Guwahati abstained from work and held protests outside the court premises.

Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet had expressed serious concerns over the serial blasts in Assam.

"The Cabinet expressed serious concerns over the incident and extended sympathy to the next of kin of those who lost their lives," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters today.

Police have also reportedly detained about a dozen people for questioning in connection with the serial bombings.




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