Date:07/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/07/stories/2007010716570800.htm

National

Eight of polling team killed in Assam blasts

Sushanta Talukdar

They were returning after holding elections to the hill council

Landmine explosions triggered by suspected KLNLF militants

Alert driver, guard avert rail accident as militants blast track

Guwahati: Eight persons, including two polling personnel and six policemen, were killed in two landmine explosions triggered by suspected militants of the Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) in central Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Saturday.

Police said six persons died on the spot, and two others died on way to the Nagaon Civil Hospital. Eight persons, including five security personnel, were injured.

75% polling recorded

The incident occurred when a polling party was returning after the elections to the tribal autonomous council of the hill district — the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Official sources said that over 75 per cent polling was recorded.

The polling party was returning to Parakhowa from the No. 16 Hapjan polling station under Dokmoka police station when their truck was blasted.

Disaster averted

An alert driver, A. Senapati, and guard A.C. Das of the Dibrugarh-bound Rajdhani Express averted a disaster as suspected KLNLF militants exploded a bomb on the railway track between Diphu and Doldoli.

The bomb went off around 3 a.m. on Saturday as the train was crossing a bridge.

Coach damaged

The driver and the guard brought the train to a halt immediately after the bomb went off under an AC-3 tier coach. The coach was partially damaged, but none was injured.

Protests in Tinsukia

Angry protesters in Tinsukia demanded that the district be handed over to the Army to ensure the security of the Hindi-speaking people.

Hundreds took part in protest rallies under the banner of the All-Assam Bhojpuri Yuba Chatra Parishad.

Some others blocked the National Highway to register their protest against the attacks by the United Liberation Front of Asom.

Compensation sought

One of the leaders, while addressing the protesters, demanded that the next of kin of the deceased be paid compensation of Rs. 10 lakh.

He said activists of the All-Assam Students Union, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and other student bodies had helped take the injured to hospital.

After curfew was imposed, the police fired a few rounds in the air to disperse the crowd.