Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KOLKATA302
2008-10-31 11:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
UPDATE ON OCTOBER 30 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ASSAM
how-toVZCZCXRO0006 OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHCI #0302 3051132 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 311132Z OCT 08 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2174 INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2658
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000302
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SOCI PREL PGOV IN
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON OCTOBER 30 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ASSAM
REF: KOLKATA 301
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000302
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SOCI PREL PGOV IN
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON OCTOBER 30 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ASSAM
REF: KOLKATA 301
1. (SBU) Summary: Assam police have confirmed that there were 9
serial blasts on October 30 in the Northeast Indian state of
Assam, causing 77 deaths so far. Bomb experts are investigating
the nature of the explosives that caused unusual amounts of
damage. A very slow reaction by first responders and anger over
the government's failure to protect people from terrorism led to
mob violence and imposition of curfew soon after the blasts.
Police suspect Islamic extremists may be responsible for the
blasts with assistance from ethnic secessionist group United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Communal tensions are likely
to rise in Assam, a state bordering Bangladesh. End summary.
2. (SBU) The Director General of Assam Police R.N. Mathur told
PolFSN that 9 blasts occurred simultaneously on October 30 (see
Reftel). He said the official death toll is 77, with more than
400 injured. He explained that forensic experts are
investigating the nature of the explosives used, but they were
undeniably very high intensity and the amount of damage is
unprecedented in Assam. The bombs were left in cars, bikes,
bicycles or simply on the pavement and locations in crowded
places. The bombs are believed to have had timer devices.
There is no information yet that any suicide bombs were used.
3. (SBU) While the curfew imposed in Guwahati, Assam's capital,
was lifted on the evening of October 30, a statewide alert
continues. The fires on the streets have been extinguished. In
many areas, shops and business establishments remained closed
and the state is quiet, with most people staying indoors.
Police reportedly have begun detaining people for questioning in
connection with the serial bombings. Contacts told PolFSN that
Union Home Minister S. Patil is scheduled to visit Assam on
October 31.
4. (SBU) Immediately after the explosions in Guwahati on
October 30, people attacked security personnel and shouted
slogans against the government, accusing the government of
failing to provide security for people. Some protesters tried
to enter the government secretariat with burned bodies. Police
first used a baton charge to disperse protesters, but when this
did not work they fired in the air and imposed a curfew. A
police contact told PolFSN that since the administration failed
to mobilize public opinion against terror, the Assamese people
vent their anger at government officials who enjoy security
escorts while the average person remains vulnerable. Victims or
their family do not focus on the terrorists who caused violence,
but they do see an administration that cannot protect them.
5. (SBU) The ULFA has denied its involvement in the blasts.
According to media and police contacts, ULFA issued a statement
alleging that "the blasts have been triggered by Indian
occupation forces to scuttle efforts by the ULFA to seek a
peaceful political solution to India-Asom conflict." Police
contacts suspect that Islamic extremists masterminded the
attacks, but with support from ULFA. R. Chandranathan
(protect),Inspector General Special Task Force, told PolFSN
that he believes the explosives used were not made locally. He
said the impact is much worse than ever in the past in Assam
where ULFA has regularly launched bomb attacks. He observed
that this attack was very well planned and that, in his view,
the planning did not take place in Assam. He speculated that
the "major players" were probably across the Bangladesh border,
and that they used local Assamese for implementation. In his
opinion, ULFA has been weakened in recent months and is
desperate to keep its presence alive. Western Assam, where some
explosions occurred, is about six hours from Sherpur district in
Bangladesh where ULFA has camps.
Comment
6. (SBU) Northeast India, including Assam, has historically been
excluded from the Indian "mainstream" and GOI's decades-long
neglect has contributed to the ascendance of ethnic militant
movements in the region. While ethnic Assamese people - both
Hindu and Muslim - usually live in harmony, public anger against
Muslim migrants from Bangladesh is on the rise. The October 30
blasts are likely to trigger greater tensions between
communities, as people perceive that terrorists are infiltrating
Assam's borders with Bangladesh. End comment.
PAYNE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SOCI PREL PGOV IN
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON OCTOBER 30 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ASSAM
REF: KOLKATA 301
1. (SBU) Summary: Assam police have confirmed that there were 9
serial blasts on October 30 in the Northeast Indian state of
Assam, causing 77 deaths so far. Bomb experts are investigating
the nature of the explosives that caused unusual amounts of
damage. A very slow reaction by first responders and anger over
the government's failure to protect people from terrorism led to
mob violence and imposition of curfew soon after the blasts.
Police suspect Islamic extremists may be responsible for the
blasts with assistance from ethnic secessionist group United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Communal tensions are likely
to rise in Assam, a state bordering Bangladesh. End summary.
2. (SBU) The Director General of Assam Police R.N. Mathur told
PolFSN that 9 blasts occurred simultaneously on October 30 (see
Reftel). He said the official death toll is 77, with more than
400 injured. He explained that forensic experts are
investigating the nature of the explosives used, but they were
undeniably very high intensity and the amount of damage is
unprecedented in Assam. The bombs were left in cars, bikes,
bicycles or simply on the pavement and locations in crowded
places. The bombs are believed to have had timer devices.
There is no information yet that any suicide bombs were used.
3. (SBU) While the curfew imposed in Guwahati, Assam's capital,
was lifted on the evening of October 30, a statewide alert
continues. The fires on the streets have been extinguished. In
many areas, shops and business establishments remained closed
and the state is quiet, with most people staying indoors.
Police reportedly have begun detaining people for questioning in
connection with the serial bombings. Contacts told PolFSN that
Union Home Minister S. Patil is scheduled to visit Assam on
October 31.
4. (SBU) Immediately after the explosions in Guwahati on
October 30, people attacked security personnel and shouted
slogans against the government, accusing the government of
failing to provide security for people. Some protesters tried
to enter the government secretariat with burned bodies. Police
first used a baton charge to disperse protesters, but when this
did not work they fired in the air and imposed a curfew. A
police contact told PolFSN that since the administration failed
to mobilize public opinion against terror, the Assamese people
vent their anger at government officials who enjoy security
escorts while the average person remains vulnerable. Victims or
their family do not focus on the terrorists who caused violence,
but they do see an administration that cannot protect them.
5. (SBU) The ULFA has denied its involvement in the blasts.
According to media and police contacts, ULFA issued a statement
alleging that "the blasts have been triggered by Indian
occupation forces to scuttle efforts by the ULFA to seek a
peaceful political solution to India-Asom conflict." Police
contacts suspect that Islamic extremists masterminded the
attacks, but with support from ULFA. R. Chandranathan
(protect),Inspector General Special Task Force, told PolFSN
that he believes the explosives used were not made locally. He
said the impact is much worse than ever in the past in Assam
where ULFA has regularly launched bomb attacks. He observed
that this attack was very well planned and that, in his view,
the planning did not take place in Assam. He speculated that
the "major players" were probably across the Bangladesh border,
and that they used local Assamese for implementation. In his
opinion, ULFA has been weakened in recent months and is
desperate to keep its presence alive. Western Assam, where some
explosions occurred, is about six hours from Sherpur district in
Bangladesh where ULFA has camps.
Comment
6. (SBU) Northeast India, including Assam, has historically been
excluded from the Indian "mainstream" and GOI's decades-long
neglect has contributed to the ascendance of ethnic militant
movements in the region. While ethnic Assamese people - both
Hindu and Muslim - usually live in harmony, public anger against
Muslim migrants from Bangladesh is on the rise. The October 30
blasts are likely to trigger greater tensions between
communities, as people perceive that terrorists are infiltrating
Assam's borders with Bangladesh. End comment.
PAYNE