VZCZCXRO0006
OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHCI #0302 3051132
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 311132Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2174
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2658

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000302 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER SOCI PREL PGOV IN
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON OCTOBER 30 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ASSAM 
 
REF: KOLKATA 301 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Assam police have confirmed that there were 9 
serial blasts on October 30 in the Northeast Indian state of 
Assam, causing 77 deaths so far.  Bomb experts are investigating 
the nature of the explosives that caused unusual amounts of 
damage.  A very slow reaction by first responders and anger over 
the government's failure to protect people from terrorism led to 
mob violence and imposition of curfew soon after the blasts. 
Police suspect Islamic extremists may be responsible for the 
blasts with assistance from ethnic secessionist group United 
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).  Communal tensions are likely 
to rise in Assam, a state bordering Bangladesh.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Director General of Assam Police R.N. Mathur told 
PolFSN that 9 blasts occurred simultaneously on October 30 (see 
Reftel).  He said the official death toll is 77, with more than 
400 injured.  He explained that forensic experts are 
investigating the nature of the explosives used, but they were 
undeniably very high intensity and the amount of damage is 
unprecedented in Assam.  The bombs were left in cars, bikes, 
bicycles or simply on the pavement and locations in crowded 
places.  The bombs are believed to have had timer devices. 
There is no information yet that any suicide bombs were used. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) While the curfew imposed in Guwahati, Assam's capital, 
was lifted on the evening of October 30, a statewide alert 
continues.  The fires on the streets have been extinguished.  In 
many areas, shops and business establishments remained closed 
and the state is quiet, with most people staying indoors. 
Police reportedly have begun detaining people for questioning in 
connection with the serial bombings.  Contacts told PolFSN that 
Union Home Minister S. Patil is scheduled to visit Assam on 
October 31. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Immediately after the explosions in Guwahati on 
October 30, people attacked security personnel and shouted 
slogans against the government, accusing the government of 
failing to provide security for people.  Some protesters tried 
to enter the government secretariat with burned bodies.  Police 
first used a baton charge to disperse protesters, but when this 
did not work they fired in the air and imposed a curfew.  A 
police contact told PolFSN that since the administration failed 
to mobilize public opinion against terror, the Assamese people 
vent their anger at government officials who enjoy security 
escorts while the average person remains vulnerable.  Victims or 
their family do not focus on the terrorists who caused violence, 
but they do see an administration that cannot protect them. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The ULFA has denied its involvement in the blasts. 
According to media and police contacts, ULFA issued a statement 
alleging that "the blasts have been triggered by Indian 
occupation forces to scuttle efforts by the ULFA to seek a 
peaceful political solution to India-Asom conflict."  Police 
contacts suspect that Islamic extremists masterminded the 
attacks, but with support from ULFA.  R. Chandranathan 
(protect), Inspector General Special Task Force, told PolFSN 
that he believes the explosives used were not made locally.  He 
said the impact is much worse than ever in the past in Assam 
where ULFA has regularly launched bomb attacks.  He observed 
that this attack was very well planned and that, in his view, 
the planning did not take place in Assam.  He speculated that 
the "major players" were probably across the Bangladesh border, 
and that they used local Assamese for implementation.  In his 
opinion, ULFA has been weakened in recent months and is 
desperate to keep its presence alive.  Western Assam, where some 
explosions occurred, is about six hours from Sherpur district in 
Bangladesh where ULFA has camps. 
 
Comment 
 
¶6. (SBU) Northeast India, including Assam, has historically been 
excluded from the Indian "mainstream" and GOI's decades-long 
neglect has contributed to the ascendance of ethnic militant 
movements in the region.  While ethnic Assamese people - both 
Hindu and Muslim - usually live in harmony, public anger against 
Muslim migrants from Bangladesh is on the rise.  The October 30 
blasts are likely to trigger greater tensions between 
communities, as people perceive that terrorists are infiltrating 
Assam's borders with Bangladesh.  End comment. 
 
PAYNE