Ranjan Daimary, 13 others convicted of the October 30, 2008 serial blasts

2008 SERIAL BLASTS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Court of the Special Judges, CBI, Assam on Monday convicted 14 people, including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) chairman Ranjan Daimary, in the October 30, 2008 serial blasts across Assam, saying the quantum of punishment would be pronounced on Wednesday.

Daimary was the main accused in the serial blasts that left over 88 dead and 540 injured. The blasts had ripped through Guwahati’s Ganeshguri, Panbazar and CJM Court areas and also struck Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon almost simultaneously.

Besides Daimary, the other convicted persons are George Boro alias B Jwangkhang; Ajoy Basumatary alias Oagai; Rahul Brahma alias Khargeswar Brahma; Rajen Goyari alias Rifi Khang; Mathuram Brahma, Raju Sarkar; Prabhat Boro alias Tapa; Onsai Bodo alias Ajit Bodo; Nilim Daimari; Indra Brahma; Lokra Basumatary; Jayanti Brahma alias Jugami; and B Thorai alais Boisagi. They were convicted under Sections 120(B)/302/324/326/435/436 IPC; 10/13/16/20 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act; and 3/4 of Explosive Substance Act.

On the other hand, the Court granted the benefit of doubt to Mridul Goyari.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed three charge-sheets against 22 people, including the NDFB chief in 2009, 2010, and 2011. On the other hand, seven of the 22 charge-sheeted are still at large. Of the seven, one or two are suspected to have died already.

The charge-sheet also named 650 witnesses and listed 687 documents, including post-mortem reports, confessional statements of those apprehended and details of calls made by some of the accused.

Daimary was later arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to Indian authorities in May 2010.

Daimary, also known as DR Nambla, formed the Boro Security Force in October 3, 1986 and later changed its name to NDFB. Although the outfit entered a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in 2005, it often flouted the truce.

The outfit split in 2008 after the investigating agencies named Daimary as the main mastermind behind the serial blasts. The outfit also suspended Daimary, who led another faction called NDFB (Ranjan).

Daimary was granted bail in the serial blasts case in 2013 after the CBI had submitted a no objection to his conditional bail considering the fact that he was taking part in peace talks with the government. On Monday, Daimary was again arrested and sent to Guwahati Central Jail.

Meanwhile, Special public prosecutor TD Goswami said the state has demanded death penalty. The CBI special court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on January 30.

The group is in talks with the Government of India. Anjali Daimary, a rights activist and sister of Ranjan Daimary, said this kind of judgement and peace process cannot go together.

Also read: CBI special court convicts Ranjan Daimary and 14 others for October 30 bomb blast