The United Liberation Front of Asom — the prime suspect behind Thursday’s serial blasts — is yet to make its customary claim for the attack. Ditto with next suspect National Democratic Front of Bodoland, the second most potent outfit in the state.
Both organisations are split into
pro-talks and anti-talks factions, with their Bangladesh-based leaders in the anti-talks groups. The splits in both ‘premier’ terror outfits were formalised in the past week.
“Today onwards, we will have no truck with the ULFA and we want to be called the pro-talks ULFA faction. We have also decided to give up the demand for sovereignty or independence and instead work towards achieving greater autonomy for Assam," pro-talks ULFA leader Mrinal Hazarika was quoted by IANS as saying after Thursday’s blasts. Two of ULFA’s fighting units – the Alpha and Charlie companies – revolted against the leadership and a declared ceasefire last June.
Last Thursday, the NDFB expelled founder president D.R. Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary for his role in the serial explosions in October that killed nearly 100 people.
“We are shocked that Nabla was directly involved in the series of explosions. The NDFB, therefore, unanimously decided to expel Nabla from the outfit as a disciplinary action,” B. Sungthagra, the new president of the NDFB, said in a statement.
Police say they anticipated a terror strike following these developments as well as the seemingly pro-India Awami League’s landslide victory in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, the first of the three blasts came barely three hours after chief minister Tarun Gogoi saw in Sheikh Hasina’s victory the chance to ferret out Northeast militants from Bangladesh. He talked tough against the ULFA and NDFB leaders lying low in Bangladesh, saying he would do everything possible to neutralize the jihadi-backed militants.