Authorities Seek Public Assistance in Locating Bomb-like Devices Planted Across Assam on Independence Day
In Short:
- Assam police offer ₹5 lakh reward for credible information on ULFA-I’s bomb-like devices.
- Public urged to share information via social media or WhatsApp; confidentiality assured.
- Eight devices found in Guwahati, with two more recovered later; no explosions reported.
- ULFA-I claimed the devices failed to operate due to technical issues.
- Special investigation teams (SIT) are actively probing the incident across affected districts.
Assam police have announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for anyone providing credible information about the 24 bomb-like devices that the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) claimed to have planted across the state on Independence Day. The police are appealing to the public for assistance in their ongoing investigation to identify those involved in creating, transporting, and placing these devices.
GP Singh, the Director General of Police in Assam, made a public appeal on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “We request public support for information in the ongoing investigation on bomb-like devices planted by ULFA-I. Credible information on persons involved in making, transporting, planting of these devices is requested.” He emphasized that the identities of those who come forward will be kept confidential. Singh also shared a WhatsApp number (9132699735) where information can be sent.
On August 15, Assam police initiated a large-scale search after ULFA-I, a banned insurgent group, claimed responsibility for placing 24 bombs across the state. The group reportedly sent an email to several media houses, detailing the locations of the bombs, which caused widespread panic. ULFA-I later stated that the devices could not be activated due to “technical failure” and urged the public to locate and deactivate them.
Police have since discovered eight of these devices in Guwahati, five of which were found on Friday. The devices have been sent for forensic analysis. Continued searches throughout the night led to the recovery of two more devices on Friday. Thankfully, none of the devices detonated, and there have been no reports of injuries.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, GP Singh revealed that four cases have been registered in Guwahati to investigate the discovery of these devices. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to oversee the investigation. Similar teams have been set up in other districts where bomb-like devices have been found.
“I am sure of detecting those involved in this incident. I would like to assure the people of Assam that we will finish the investigation soon and nab those who have tried to spread panic. We will not allow anyone to disturb peace in the state and ensure all those responsible for this are taken to task,” Singh stated.
In addition to Guwahati, ULFA-I claimed to have placed bombs at two locations each in Sibsagar and Lakhimpur, and at single locations in Lakuwa, Dibrugarh, Laluk, Borghat, Nagaon, Nalbari, and Tamulpur. The group also mentioned placing bombs in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, and Sarupathar, though the exact locations were not specified.