GUWAHATI – On Sunday, Assam  remembered the victims of the October 30, 2008 serial blasts with memorial events across the State. Hundreds of people joined the memorial services as they paid homage to those whose lives were cut short by what has been the worst terrorist attack in the State till date.

Around hundred people had died and over 500 were injured in the serial blasts that ripped apart State capital Guwahati besides Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta Road.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who attended the memorial event near the Ganeshguri flyover here today asserted that violence had no place in any civilized society and called upon the masses to fight terror unitedly.

“Violence can have no place in society and it can never be a tool to bring in any positive change. We will never tolerate terrorism and I urge all sections of society to put up a united stand against terrorism and all forms of violence,” he said.

Asserting that the State Government was committed to all-round development of the State, Sonowal said that the people of Assam had rejected the militant outfits and that an ambience of peace and progress was fast unfolding.

“The State Government will work sincerely and efficiently to ensure welfare of all sections of society. We are also equally committed to fighting the scourge of terrorism,” he added.

The event was attended by relatives and friends of the victims in large numbers. In the evening, passers-by were also seen lighting candles and earthen lamps at the memorial. Relatives of the victims wept as they remembered their near and dear ones lost in the tragedy.

The event organized by the Kamrup (Metro) administration was attended, among others, by MLAs Siddhartha Bhattacharya and Atul Bora (Sr), Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, DGP Mukesh Sahay, and Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrigen Sarania.

The Chief Minister also attended the memorial event organized by the Lawyers’ Association of Guwahati in front of the CJM Court, Kachari. One of the three blasts in Guwahati had occurred in the CJM Court complex.

The All Guwahati Students Union (AGSU) organized another memorial function at the Latasil playground, paying homage to the dead and raising anti-militancy slogans. AGSU members together with college students and members of citizens’ committee and woman’s organizations lit 501 earthen lamps as a mark of respect to the victims of the tragedy.

Altogether nine bombs had exploded simultaneously in the State that day – three in Kokrajhar, one in Bongaigaon and two at Barpeta Road. The Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB was behind the blasts.

{from Media reports}

  Assam, Northeast