Assam: 2 killed, several injured in Demow blast, police suspect ULFA(I) role

At least two people were killed and several others injured after a powerful grenade blast hit Assam's Demow town in Sibasagar district on Thursday, according to police. The blast occurred near a cycle shop named 'Hanuman Hardware' at about 5:30 pm this evening. While one customer died on the spot another declared dead at Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh. Kamal Agarwala, the owner of the shop also suffered critical injuries in Demow blast. The attack was suspected to be carried out by the terrorists affiliated to the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) or ULFA (I).

"One more person dies in the blast, death toll rises to two. An explosion had occurred in a shop in Demow town in Sivasagar district earlier today," the news agency ANI reported.

#UPDATE: One more person dies in the blast, death toll rises to two. An explosion had occurred in a shop in Demow town in Sivasagar district earlier today.#Assam https://t.co/RiWz5uqz2W

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2018

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ULFA (I), the banned terrorist outfit has stepped up its activities across Assam and was also warned of an “armed revolution” if the Centre goes ahead with its move to amend the Citizenship Act.

According to senior police officials, several youths have joined the group since September, with many others apprehended while in the process to join the ULFA (I).

The terrorist group is also said to be responsible for the November 1 killings of five Bengali-speaking men in Assam's Tinsukia district. However, it has denied its involvement in the incident.