ULFA denies Guwahati blasts links and extations

Guwahati, May 29 (UNI) The banned ULFA today denied any links with the numerous blasts in the city as well as in extortions.

In an e-mailed statement, ULFA 'major' Raju Baruah said, ''The ULFA has no direct or indirect links with the blasts in Guwahati or in extortions carried out at different places.'' It challenged the government to conduct an independent enquiry to nail the culprits and said, ''An independent enquiry will expose the real hand behind the blasts and extortions.'' 'Major' Baruah further said blaming the ULFA for any violence in the state has become a common tactic, which allows the real perpetrators go unnoticed.

The May 26 blasts in the city, that left nine dead, had created a huge uproar against the outfit.

A bandh observed yesterday received mass response in the city to protest the continuing violence.

Civil society organisations as well as students' bodies, trade groups and prominent citizens had unanimously condemned the ULFA for the violence, a charge the outfit denied vehemently today.

UNI