GUWAHATI, Jan 31 - The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) carried out the worst ever terror attacks witnessed by Assam, which resulted in the death of 88 persons in nine blasts within a span of one hour on October 30, 2008, when the outfit was under cease-fire agreement with the Government. Meanwhile, police and security forces are keeping a close watch on the situation, particularly on the cadres of the NDFB (R ) after life sentence was given to the chairman of the outfit, Ranjan Daimary and nine others in connection with the serial blasts.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the split in the ranks of the NDFB took place only after the serial blasts. During that time, the NDFB was under cease-fire agreement with the Government though Daimary himself was in Bangladesh.
Giving details of the events leading to the NDFB attack, sources revealed that it was Ranjan Daimary, who, as the chairman of the outfit, sent a letter to the then Chief Minister in 2004 expressing his desire to hold talks with the Government. Though some security agencies were opposed to the idea of accepting the offer of the militant outfit, mainly because of the fact that the outfit had launched a series of attacks on innocents just a few days prior to sending the letter, the Government took a political decision to start the process of talks with the NDFB. A cease-fire agreement was signed between the Government and the NDFB. The outfit was represented by the general secretary of the outfit, Govinda Basumatary, while the chairman of the NDFB stayed back in Bangladesh. As the process of talks between the Government and the NDFB started, the Government insisted on several occasions that Daimary should join the peace process, but he never came.
Sources revealed that the serial blasts caught everyone off guard as initially there was confusion about the identity of the outfit, which triggered off such a major attack on innocents but the detailed investigation proved that it was the handiwork of the NDFB. Sources said that during the investigation, it was found that Daimary planned the blasts with a few of his loyal cadres, who were in Bangladesh at that time. The other NDFB leaders and cadres, who were in designated camps in Assam, were not aware of the plan. The explosives used for the blasts including RDX, were brought into Assam from Bangladesh by taking advantage of the porous international border. The group carried out the blasts in nine places including three in Guwahati, which resulted in death of 88 persons , while, more than 500 were injured.
After it came to light that the blasts were carried out by a team chosen by Ranjan Daimary, a split took place in the ranks of the NDFB. The leaders and cadres who were in Assam and engaged in peace talks changed its name to NDFB (P) and carried forward the peace talks, while, Daimary and his supporters in the outfit remained mostly outside. Daimary was apprehended by the Government of Bangladesh and handed over to India. After his arrest, he also joined the peace process, while, the NDFB witnessed another split with the breakaway group headed by IK Songbijit remaining active. At present, two factions of the NDFB are engaged in peace talks, while, the NDFB (S) is still active, though most of its senior members are in Myanmar.
Replying to a question on whether the security agencies are apprehending violence by members of the NDFB(R) after life sentence was awarded to Ranjan Daimary, sources said that a close watch is being maintained by the police and security forces on all the cadres of the outfit and the security measures in the designated camps have also been increased. No cadre of the militant group , which is under cease-fire has been allowed to keep weapons and �as of now we are not apprehending any major trouble.�
On whether the conviction of Daimary would affect the peace process, sources said that before his conviction, Government did not oppose his bail plea as his presence was required for talks. But after his conviction, it is for the other members of the outfit to decide on the future of the talks. �After he is convicted, Daimary can only be released on parole, But there is no record of any militant leader granted parole for participating in talks. Moreover, before the militant group came for talks, no assurance was given by the Government that the leaders of the outfit would not have to face trial for the crimes committed by them,� sources added.
