2008 Assam bombing victims question NDFB-R chief Daimary’s bail

Guwahati: At a time when some of the signatories of the recently signed Bodo peace accord are on bail putting a question mark over the future of legal cases pending against them, members of victims’ families have expressed apprehension and asked the government to take stringent action against them.

Raising voices against the recent government move in releasing National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB- R) leader Ranjan Daimary for securing an interim bail term of four weeks, Opposition Congress leader and former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi along with members of some victim families of the Guwahati serial blast victims are questioning the authorities on how a convicted criminal can be part of a peace agreement.

In a significant development, like other Bodo insurgent leaders, NDFB (R) chairman Ranjan Daimary, who was serving life imprisonment in the 2008 serial bomb blasts case, has got a four-week interim bail and was recently released from Central Jail in Guwahati after depositing personal bond of Rs 50,000 to join other Bodo leaders to sign the much-awaited peace accord.

Speaking with EastMojo, former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi expressed that even during the Congress regime in the state, peace talks with militant outfits, including United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and NDFB were held but none of the convicted criminals or those involved in heinous killings were invited or taken into consideration in talks.

“It was even a surprise for us when Supreme Court granted bail to convicted criminals from Gujarat, involved in heinous crimes stating that they can do some special work,”
Gogoi said.

Meanwhile, bereaved family members of Sunanda Kalita, one of the deceased in the serial blasts in Guwahati, challenged the state authorities to provide an assurance that the convicted criminals will not involve themselves in further killings in coming days.

Also Read: ‘NDFB leaders charged with heinous crimes to face legal action’

Sunanda Kalita (35), who was an auto rickshaw driver by profession, is survived by his wife, Renu Kalita, and his two children. The victim’s family has been facing a tough time right from the day Kalita fell prey to a bomb blast triggered by NDFB rebels under the leadership of Ranjan Daimary.

Questioning the authorities on how a convicted criminal can get bail to be a part of the peace agreement, wife of the deceased, Renu Kalita, challenged the state government if they can assure that a convicted criminal that took away lives of nearly 100 will not be involved in heinous crime in coming days.

“Just yesterday over 1,600 NDFB rebels laid down their arms in front of the state authorities and in contradictory to it only 128 weapons were surrendered. How can the government assure that the militant group are not left with more weapons,” Renu Kalita questioned.

Expressing grief over their family condition at present, the deceased’s wife revealed that even though the government provided us with money and job, much of our troubles can never be compensated.

“We just demand justice and stringent punishment to Daimary like that provided to the convicts of Mumbai terror attack and if he is convicted to life imprisonment. It should be rendered in a proper manner,” demanded Renu.

Earlier on January 2019, a special court in a remarkable judgment convicted 14 accused, including National Democratic Front of Bodoland chairman Ranjan Daimary alias DR Nabla, in the serial bomb blasts in Assam that claimed 88 lives and left around 500 injured on October 30, 2008. Apart from Ranjan the others convicted in the serial blast case are George Boro, Ajay Basumatary, Rahul Brahma, Onsai Boro, Lokra Basumatary, Indra Brahma, Boisagi Basumatary alias B. Thorai, Jayanti Brahma, Mathuram Brahma, Prabhat Boro, Raju Sarkar and Nilim Daimary.