Two brothers killed by bomb blasts, a year apart

Terrorism has dealt the Borah family, of Dholajan Ekahu village near Assam’s Jorhat town, a shattering double blow, reports Rahul Karmakar.

Terrorism has dealt the Borah family, of Dholajan Ekahu village near Assam’s Jorhat town, a shattering double blow.

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On August 7 last year, a bomb planted by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) near Jorhat’s Sadr police station killed Ajit Borah, a former soldier, as well as his brother-in-law Pranjal Gogoi. Last Thursday, the bomb that ripped through Ganeshguri claimed Ajit’s brother Dilip (37).

Dilip’s body shielded fellow villagers Ghana Bora, Ambika Konwar, Deep Dutta, Bhaskar Barua and Satya Bora, who were strolling nearby after having submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his office 300 metres away.

Dilip, a tea grower, headed the Village Development Committee that wanted the CM to improve road, power and civic amenities in Dholajan, 19 km from Jorhat, Assam’s tea capital. Gogoi represents Titabor constituency, within which Dholajan falls.

Konwar and Dutta watched as fire engulfed Dilip. “It was the ghastliest of sights,” said Konwar.

“God, did the two brothers have to have the same fate?” This is the answer Dilip’s widow Rashmi (30) is seeking. She knows she has to be strong — more so for her daughter Pubali (5) and nine-month-old son Kaushik.