Red alert sounded, Army on stand-by

Guwahati, Oct 30 (UNI) A Red alert has been sounded and Army kept on stand-by following eleven serial blasts claiming at least 40 lives and injuring 200 in lower Assam today.

Assam Police DGP R N Mathur informed that all police stations had been alerted, vigil increased everywhere and special police patrol party along with para-military forces out in the field to stop any suspected activity.

The Army, engaged all over Assam in counter-insurgency operation, had been making its presence visible in the vulnerable areas of the state to instil confidence amongst the ordinary people.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reviewed the law and order situation of the state following the serial blasts and expressed dismay over police's utter failure in stopping the bombings.

Meanwhile, an expert team of Home Ministry is arriving later in the evening to examine the blast sites which had been cordoned off.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also visiting Guwahati tomorrow.

UNI MT SJC AKJ HT1625