Reinforcement sought, protesters take to streets after another blast

Guwahati, May 18 (UNI) Thirteen people were wounded, three seriously, after an IED explosion on Jail Road in the busy Fancy Bazar area here today, the second blast in the city in five days.

All the victims were rushed to the nearby MMC Hospital.

A senior police official said considering the repeated strikes in the capital city, it has become exigent to review the security apparatus and deploy more security personnel.

The City Police has sought five more companies of Asom Police personnel besides 500 additional home guards and volunteers.

Categorically admitting that the attacks are a result of the failure of the intelligence department, the official said, '' We have written to the Asom Police Headquarters for 500 additional manpower in the form of home guards and volunteers and five more companies specially for the city.'' The police later confirmed that the bomb, suspected to be a handiwork of the ULFA, was kept in a rickshaw parked near the wall of the jail.

The owner of the rickshaw, Kurban ali, was among the injured.

An impromptu bandh was observed in the Fancy Bazar area as scared businessmen of the busy commercial hub of the region immediately shut down establishments for the day.

MORE UNI