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Guwahati blast kills 3
ULFA involvement suspected.
BY A CORRESPONDENT
November 23, 2006
Three people, including a toddler, were killed and nine hurt after a powerful bomb ripped through a busy area near a railway station in Guwahati on Thursday. The bomb detonated at a rickshaw stand just outside the railway station.
Police said that a man, his wife and 18-month-old son were killed, while nine others were wounded in the powerful blast. According to witnesses, the blast occurred shortly before the Rajadhani Express from New Delhi to Guwahati was to enter the station.
No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, authorities suspect the involvement of the United Liberation Front of Asom or ULFA in the attack.
The United Liberation Front of Asom have been fighting for an independent homeland since its formation in 1979. Of late the attacks have been stepped up ever since the Union government called off peace talks and a six-week temporary truce on September 24 and resumed military offensive.
It may be recalled that the government had to call off peace talks refusing to release five top rebel leaders who had been detained. Since then, at least 23 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in violence blamed on the rebels.
The United Liberation Front of Asom now appears desperate to prove its strength and force the government to initiate talks on their terms. The attacks are seen as a strategy to force the government call for talks again.
ULFA has also been accused of carrying out a train bombing in neighbouring West Bengal state earlier this week. The attack had killed seven people and wounded 53 others.`
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