2004 Dhemaji bombing
Encyclopedia
The 2004 Dhemaji bombing occurred on August 15, 2004, on the occasion of Independence Day in Dhemaji, Assam. The bombing killed 18 people and injured many others. Most of the victims were schoolchildren aged between 12 to 14 and their mothers.
called a 12-hour bandh
on August 16, 2004 in protest of the blast. The AASU
had also demanded the resignation of the chief minister. The Assam State Committee of CPI(M) vehemently condemned the incident. It also organized a protest rally in the capital city of Guwahati on August 17 against the extremists for the killings and against the administration for the failure of protection. The committee had also called a 12 hour Assam-bandh on August 18.
, the chairman of the outfit stated that the “Indian Occupatin Force” and its agents used the schoolchildren as shield to defy the boycott call of the outfit. On December 13, 2009 Paresh Barua, the C-in-C of the outfit sought public apology and forgiveness for the blast. He stated in an e-mail that the ULFA leadership was misled by some of their cadres and junior leaders about the blast. That is why the leadership had to deny its involvement.
Details
On the occasion of Independence Day, on August 15, 2004, people, mostly were school children and their mothers, gathered at Dhemaji College ground for Independence Day parade. At around 9:30 am a bomb went off killing at least 18 and injuring many more. According to police the bomb was planted near the college-gate and triggered by a remote-controlled device. It was exploded when the students and teachers of various schools were passing through the gate.Investigations
Police blamed ULFA, the banned terrorist outfit of the state, which, like every year, called for a boycott of the event but the outfit continued denying responsibility.Aftermath
Soon after the incident the local people allegedly attacked the police vehicles at the site for failure to protect the parade. Police had to launch lathi charge and fire tear gas to bring the situation under control. The Superintendent of Police T. Thangou and the Additional Superintendent of Police of Dhemaji were suspended for negligence of duty. The Deputy Commissioner was transferred for security lapse.Reactions
The injured were admitted to the Dhemaji Civil Hospital and other 10 being critically injured were shifted to Dibrugarh Civil Hospital. Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi condemned the blast stating it to be “most barbaric, inhuman and pathetic” incident. He also announced that the state would be observing the August 16 of every year as Mourning Day in memory of those killed. The chief minister announced Rs 3 lakhs for the victims and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. The Dhemaji and Lakhimpur unit of AASUAll Assam Students Union
All Assam Students Union is a five-tier students' union in Assam, India.All Assam Students Union or AASU is a students' organization in Assam, India. It is best known for leading the six-year Assam Movement against alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh...
called a 12-hour bandh
Bandh
Bandh , originally a Hindi word meaning 'closed', is a form of protest used by political activists in some countries like India and Nepal. During a Bandh, a political party or a community declares a general strike....
on August 16, 2004 in protest of the blast. The AASU
All Assam Students Union
All Assam Students Union is a five-tier students' union in Assam, India.All Assam Students Union or AASU is a students' organization in Assam, India. It is best known for leading the six-year Assam Movement against alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh...
had also demanded the resignation of the chief minister. The Assam State Committee of CPI(M) vehemently condemned the incident. It also organized a protest rally in the capital city of Guwahati on August 17 against the extremists for the killings and against the administration for the failure of protection. The committee had also called a 12 hour Assam-bandh on August 18.
Armed Forces Special Powers Act
The chief minister Tarun Gogoi said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act should stay in the disturbed areas to avoid the increasing activities by the rebel groups.ULFA takes responsibily after 5 years
On August 16, 2004, one day after the blast, in a statement, Arabinda RajkhowaArabinda Rajkhowa
Arabinda Rajkhowa , , alias Mijanur Rahman Choudhury is the Chaiman of the banned outfit ULFA. He is one of the founder members of the outfit. He was also the Vice-President of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front...
, the chairman of the outfit stated that the “Indian Occupatin Force” and its agents used the schoolchildren as shield to defy the boycott call of the outfit. On December 13, 2009 Paresh Barua, the C-in-C of the outfit sought public apology and forgiveness for the blast. He stated in an e-mail that the ULFA leadership was misled by some of their cadres and junior leaders about the blast. That is why the leadership had to deny its involvement.