Asom: Six killed, Grand prix threatened

Guwahati, June 23: Suspected Ulfa rebels today bombed at the Machkhowa market in the Guwahati city, killing six and injuring 20 others on a day when the city is hosting Asian Grand prix, Ambubachi Mela and a Thai business delegation.

The city police control informed that the bomb went off at 0725 hours in front of Machkhowa masjid, where the wholesale vegetable market is held every morning.

All the four dead persons were from the market while the 15 injured were shifted to the Guwahati medical college and hospital.

Ulfa is suspected behind the bombing, police said.

District Magistrate Avinash Joshi, who rushed to the spot, said the bomb was placed on a bicycle which was ferrying vegetables in the market. The bomb killed four on the spot, he added. Two others died on way to the hospital.

"There was threat perception to the city and we had specific intelligence inputs. But inspite of tighter security they (Ulfa rebels) could blast it. It is a matter of serious concern" said Mr Joshi.

Meanwhile, the blast had cast a shadow over the 2nd leg of the Asian Grand Prix, as the bombed site was only two kilometres from where most of the participants are staying.

The Machkhowa bazaar is also not far off from Neelachal Hills where another three lakh pilgrims have descended for the annual Ambubachi Mela.

With a delegation from Thailand is arriving by noon along with union ministers Mani Shankar Aiyar and Jairam Ramesh, the bombing posed a tough time for the state administration to maintain the security of the city.

The Army was already taken charge over the Stadium complex, making it out of bound for all unauthorised people.

UNI

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