Guwahati: Assam blast probe key accused
Ranjan Daimary, who was handed over by Bangladesh Rifles to
Indian authorities, was today produced before a Kamrup court
which remanded him to 12-day police custody.
Daimary, chief of the National Democratic Front of
Bodoland (NDFB), was arrested by the Bangladesh Rifles and
handed over to Indian authorities yesterday.
He was brought to the court in a five-vehicle convoy amid
tight security.
Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Robin Phukan gave the
order after a short hearing.
Daimary was not represented by any lawyer as the Lawyers
Association of Assam has decided not to defend him due to his
alleged involvement in the October 30, 2008 serial bomb blasts
which claimed 92 lives including several advocates.
Nine serial explosions had rocked Assam - three each in
Guwahati and Kokrajhar, two in Barpeta Road, and one in
Bongaigaon. The blasts had left a trail of death and
destruction and over 800 wounded.
Of this, three blasts were in Guwahati, including one
inside the CJM`s court premises, claiming 60 lives and leaving
over 200 injured.
Daimary, a post graduate in political science, is
suspected to have masterminded the blasts.
Formed in 1986, NDFB has been spearheading the demand for
a separate homeland for the Bodo tribes people in Assam.
Interpol has been on the look out for the 5ft 7 inches
tall Daimary against whom there are Red Corner notices have
been issued.
Meanwhile, at least 10 people were injured when police
allegedly lathicharged stone-pelting supporters of Daimary who
wanted to get inside the court.
The supporters, who had come from Baksa, Udalguri and
Kokrajhar areas, tried to break through barricades set up in a
one-km radius of the court to prevent their entry, police
said.
Daimary`s sister Anjali Daimary, chief of the Bodo
Womens` Forum, alleged that she was roughed up by police when
she came to the court.
"We have not been given any information by the police
about the presence of Daimary in Assam. We are just following
the TV news and newspapers. Members of my family and I along
with Bodo people had come to meet him," she said.
Daimary was brought to the CJM court from Special Branch
Headquarters amidst tight security. He was not allowed to
speak to the waiting media.
All Assam Lawyers` Association`s Sailen Das said the
decision to not defend any accused in the blasts case was
taken by the Guwahati Lawyers` Association and was later
endorsed by the AALA, which comprises lawyers of all the 37
bar associations of the state.
"The Association will stick to its decision of not
appearing on Daimary`s behalf and a review meeting in this
regard is scheduled to be held tomorrow where the issue will
be further discussed." he said.
The CBI had chargesheeted Daimary as the prime accused
in October 30 serial blasts, including the one at the CJM
Court which had claimed the lives of three lawyers and seven
court employees.
PTI
