ASSAM -- NATIONAL GAMES OVER, ULFA CONTINUES ATTACKS

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000084 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER PHUM CASC IN SUBJECT: ASSAM -- NATIONAL GAMES OVER, ULFA CONTINUES ATTACKS REF: KOLKATA 00011, KOLKATA 00016 ¶1. (U) Summary: On March 9, the terrorist group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) continued its campaign of bombs and attacks in Assam, setting off a bomb in a crowded marketplace. The group also indicates that it will step up its attacks, including by targeting Congress Party officials, hoping to once again to force the GOI to initiate talks on sovereignty for Assam. The brief respite from attacks enjoyed since the India National Games in February is clearly over. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On March 9, one person was killed and 18 wounded by a powerful bomb at a marketplace in Kakopathar, in the Northeast Indian state of Assam. The explosion took place outside a shop a couple of minutes after the shop-owner informed the police about an unclaimed bag in the vicinity. Seven members of the shop-owner's family were wounded, one of whom later died in a hospital. On March 10, militants ambushed and shot dead the Anchalik Panchayat President of Hajo while members the Congress's central leadership - Digvijay Singh and Chandan Bagchi -- were on a confidence-building tour of Assam in the run-up to the panchayat (village) elections scheduled for May. The visit was aimed at boosting the morale of demoralized Congress Party workers following the killing of 8 grassroots workers in January. State Congress leaders have since requested Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for security protection for Congress party workers. ¶3. (SBU) An Assam Police intelligence official told post that ULFA is responsible for all these killings. The group has resumed its activities after the conclusion of the National Games on February 18, and more attacks are expected with the approach of India's Army Day on March 16 and ULFA's "Raising Day" on April 7. Police are apparently already finding more bombs throughout state. ULFA has expressed its willingness to hold talks with the GOI provided the issue of sovereignty will be discussed, but the government is so far unwilling to accept this condition. JARDINE