Bleeding Assam in the time of bombings

Assam bleeds again. Nobody knows when and where there will be blasts. An eerie silence is all that is prevailing in the state on Friday when serial bombings, mostly in Guwahati, unleashed a reign of terror on Thursday in the busy city areas namely Dispur, Fancybazar and Panbazar. These were followed by some other bombings in Bongaigain, Kokrajhar and Barpeta Road where over 15 people were killed besides leaving several others injured.

The toll after the government’s statement on Thursday stood at 61 but it has reportedly gone up to over 70 while some others succumbed to injuries towards the break of the day. Caught in a Catch-22 situation, the Assam Government has no option but to admit its loopholes in the intelligentsia network. Thus these blasts have once again turned the much-hyped security blanket into a farce.

H is behind these blast? Its not sure. May be ULFA. May be Jehadi group. But ULFA has denied its role while some others have yet to own up the responsibility. The government’s inability to ascertain the terrorists behind the blasts. It proves how the power that be in Delhi and Dispur are ill prepared to deal with the situation.

Strangely enough, the authorities across the country ensured a mammoth security arrangement to avert any incident of the kind apprehending the strike during the dewali celebration by the Islamist trouble mongers. Reportedly Assam was an exception. The Assam government was not serious on the security arrangement during diwali which could have helped avert these terrific bombings. But that has not happened. That too in spite of previous caution issued by the intelligence agencies about terrorist activities by Islamic Fundamentalist. It is a matter of great concern that how these fatal elements managed to sneak into the city areas despite the so called round-the-clock-vigil. The home truth is that the security arrangement is only to ensure safety and security for the ministers, MLAs and the VVIPs and VIPs at the cost of the state exchequer and not for the people in general.

After the blasts, now its blame game. The Opposition tries to corner the government while the government is trying its best to avoid the stigma saying these blasts were not similar to that of the past strings.

Measured by any standard, terrorism is terrorism, which deserve firm action. Mere blame game will not serve any purpose except petty political squabbling. Need of the hour is an united stand against terrorism. Then and then only there will be an end to these black chapters that can mar the pages of golden history. Will the prisoner of conscience awake?