Two blasts rocked Assam on Thursday, a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's day-long visit to the state on Friday. However, no casualties were reported from both the blasts.
The first blast took place at the power station at around 9.30 pm, while the second blast, which is believed to have targeted a railway track, took place at Sibsagar. There were no reports of casualties but train schedules are said to have been disrupted by the blasts.
The anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which has called for a 12-hour bandh across Assam beginning at 5 am on Friday in protest against the Prime Minister's visit, is expected to have carried out the blasts.
Meanwhile, Assam government has beefed up security in the capital city Guwahati and other parts of the state following the threats by the ULFA, protesting the visit of the Prime Minister. A high level security has been arranged by the Special Protection Group (SPG) for the Prime Minister's visit.
Security forces recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near railway tracks in Chirang district on Thursday.
"The powerful IED, weighing more than three kgs, two detonators, fused wire were recovered by a joint team of Assam Police and Army during routine patrolling near the railway tracks at Maneswari, on the outskirts of Bijni railway station in the district around 10:30 am on Thursday," IBNS quoted Additional SP of Chirang R Das as saying. "Suspected militants planted the IED for triggering violence," he added.
An official of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) reportedly told IBNS that eleven trains have been cancelled and four other trains rescheduled following the threat by the outfit.
The ULFA led by Paresh Baruah has called for a 12-hour bandh across Assam beginning at 5 am on Friday in protest against the Prime Minister's visit. It also appealed the people of Assam to play a cautious role on Friday to avoid unwanted situation.
Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Assam on Friday to inaugurate two new facilities for cancer patients in B Barooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati and Platinum Jubilee celebration of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
(With Inputs from IBNS)
