PM to continue with his Assam visit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided not to call off his Assam visit scheduled on Tuesday. He is expected to kick off his campaign trail from the state today that he represents in the Rajya Sabha. His visit was being considered cancelled in the wake of four blasts in Assam yesterday.

According to PMO sources, Prime Minister’s programme has been kept unchanged.

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He will be addressing poll meetings in Dispur and Dibrugarh, about 400 km from Guwahati. His visit to Karbi Angllong, however, is cancelled in the wake of bandh called by the Karbi Longri National Liberation Front.

At least eight persons were killed and over 60 injured in a series of blasts that rocked Guwahati, Dhekiajuli, Mankachar and Bokajan areas within a span of eight hours yesterday. In Mankachar in Dhubri district and at Chokihola in Karbi Anglong, terrorists hurled grenade. Maximum casualties occurred in a crowded market in Maligaon in Guwahati where the explosives were planted in a car parked outside the sweet shop.

His visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the foundation day of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).

Prime Minister Dr. Singh strongly condemned the blasts at Maligaon area and Dhekiajuli in Assam. He expressed profound grief and shock over the incidents.

“The Government remains committed in its resolve to thwart the designs of terrorists and adequate measures would be undertaken to ensure peace and stability in the State,” said Singh.

The Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal blamed ULFA for the blasts. The DGP of Assam said Dr. Singh would go ahead with his visit.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from New Delhi led by Union Cabinet Secretary is arriving in Assam today to review the security situation in the wake of Monday’s blasts. He will also be accompanied by Union Home Secretary and Defence Secretary.

Sources said on the basis of their report, deployment of additional Central forces would be considered to ensure free and fair elections in the terror-free environment in the state.

The state has around 145 companies of Central forces for counter-insurgency operations, while the state government has demanded additional 120 companies.

Lok Sabha election in the state will be held in two-phases on April 16 and 23. This is the first election meeting of Singh after a successful cardiac bypass surgery he underwent on January 24.