Asom: Bomb found in city ahead of PM's visit

Guwahati, May 8: Massive security arrangements have been made ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's arrival today on a two-day visit to file nomination for the Rajya Sabha election after the recovery of a bomb yesterday and blast the day before.

A powerful Programmable Time Device (PTD) of about five kg was seized from youth at Mathghoria under Nonmati police station in the city last evening.

Police said the youth, identified as Nripen Barua alais Montu, was carrying the PTD in a milk container.

His associate managed to flee when a police party challenged them to stop.

A blast, injuring two people, had taken place in the nearby FCI godown last week.

On Sunday, 16 people were hurt in an explosion, suspected to be triggered by ULFA militants, at Fancy Bazar area here.

These repeated strikes by the ULFA had put the security forces on high alert and special security measures were being taken along the route the Prime Minister would travel and the places he would visit.

After spending the night at the Raj Bhavan today, he would file the papers tomorrow noon and fly back to New Delhi.

Union Home Minister Sivraj Patil will also accompany Dr Singh.

He will review the law-and-order situation in the state with the Chief Minister, Asom police DGP, Chief Secretary and Army officials this evening.

During Dr Singh's visit to the city last month to lay foundation for a bridge over the Brahmaputra river, ULFA had triggered an explosion in the city.

Though the blast site did not fall on the Prime Minister's route, it had led to serious questions on security arrangements for him.

UNI