ULFA denies hand in Assam serial blasts

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GUWAHATI: The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Saturday denied triggering a string of explosions that killed five people and wounded 46 others during the past two days.

"This is nothing but a nefarious design on the part of some vested interests within the Assam Police led by Inspector General (Intelligence) Khagen Sharma who have actually triggered the explosions to defame us," said ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah in a statement.

There have been at least 10 explosions, including three grenade attacks, since Thursday that also blew up four oil and gas pipelines.

Police blamed the blasts on ULFA saying they had intelligence inputs and also confessional statements from an arrested militant suggesting that the outfit planned a three-day strike beginning on Thursday.

"We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who died and wish the speediest of recovery for the injured victims," the statement said.

The ULFA is a rebel group that has been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979 and representatives nominated by it have held two rounds of peace talks with New Delhi since last October. The next round will be on June 22.

"Triggering a series of blasts aimed at innocent civilians ahead of the June 22 talks is nothing but attempts by vested interests to derail the peace process," the rebel leader alleged.

Police denied the ULFA charges and said the outfit was trying to shirk responsibility following strong reaction from the public and was instead blaming a section within the government establishment.

"This statement is nothing but eyewash," said a senior police official requesting anonymity.

Click here for the introduction about ULFA, a rebellion group struggling for their independence from India occupation Assam.

Someone set up a website for ULFA and it has explanation for the issues related.