HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 30: On the 15th anniversary of the devastating 2008 Assam serial blasts that claimed the lives of 88 individuals across nine synchronized explosions in various parts of the state, the memory of the victims was honored through a memorial service. The Kamrup Metropolitan district organized the service at Ganeshguri, one of the blast sites, which saw the attendance of family members of the victims.
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During the event, cabinet minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and local Dispur MLA Atul Bora were present. However, some family members expressed their concern over not receiving the compensation assured by the government despite submitting representations. Minister Patowary assured that their grievances would be addressed and compensation would be provided to the victims’ families.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also commemorated the day, acknowledging the tragic loss suffered in the terrorist attacks. Via X platform, he referred to the incident as a dark day in Assam’s history and stressed the need for a unified fight against terrorism. He affirmed the government’s proactive role in combating such threats.
The serial blasts, three in Guwahati and Kokrajhar each, two in Barpeta Road, and one in Bongaigaon, were orchestrated by the Ranjan Daimary faction of the militant group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). In January 2019, a special CBI court convicted 15 individuals in the case, with 10 receiving life imprisonment, including Daimary.
The tragic incident resulted in a toll of 80 fatalities and left over 400 individuals permanently disabled. Orchestrated by Ranjan Daimary, the incident led to Daimary’s conviction and life imprisonment, a sentence he has been serving since 2019. The state vows to continue the fight against terrorism and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
