Guwahati grenade blast: 2 dead, minor among 8 several injured

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 15, 2019 : At least two persons were killed and six others injured in a grenade blast outside a mall on Zoo road in Guwahati on Wednesday. The area has been cordoned off and police is present at the spot, Zeenews reported.

 

The injured included two Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans and eight local residents. The condition of at least five people, who were immediately referred to Guwahati Medical College Hospital, is said to be in a critical state. The remaining five are said to be stable and were rushed to a nearby private hospital.

The grenade was lobbed by two people on a motorcycle, police said.

An anti-talk faction of ULFA led by Paresh Baruah claimed responsibility for the blast.

Deepak Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, told news agency ANI that the grenade blast took place at 8 pm in which six people were injured. "An investigation is currently underway," he said. "There is a police check post here and it is evident the suspects must have targeted them," he said.

Sources said that ’ULFA Swadhin’ faction targeted the SSB jawans along with Assam Police, who were deployed at a police check post opposite Central Mall on Zoo road in Guwahati. In the grenade blast, SSB jawans - Ramesh Lal (48) and Amulya Lalan (30) received grave injuries. The injured also included a child, whose identity is yet to be ascertained.

The explosion took place in front of the shopping mall, Guwahati Central, located in the Jonali area of the city.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attacks, saying in a tweet he has directed the local authorities to immediately apprehend the culprits.

The blast took place on a day when CM Sonowal called upon the police to devise a strategy to keep tabs on criminal elements and provide security to the city residents.