GUWAHATI, Nov 28 – Id-uz-Zuha was celebrated with religious fervour in the State along with the rest of the country. The devotees offered prayers in the mosques and idgahs in the morning and exchanged greetings with each other. In Guwahati, a large number of devotees offered namaj at the Idgahs of Machhkhowa, Islampur, Sijubari, Pub Guwahati and Athgaon Kabarstan among others.
The mosques of the city, including the Lakhtokia Bara Masjid and Burha (Jame) Masjid, Ambari, and mosques at Panjabari, Lachitnagar, Hatigaon, Shantipur, Nabagiri, Hedayatpur, Gandhibasti and other places, also witnessed a large number of devotees, who came for the morning prayers.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Mosques Lit up American `Eid
By Dina Rabie, IOL Staff
WASHINGTON -- Mustafa Khalil quickens his steps, and with every step the melodious sound of the eid takbeer fills the air and his heart with joy.
"It is a very spiritual time," the Moroccan student, who has been living in Washington DC for two years now, told IslamOnline.net, after reaching his destination.
"But it does not feel like `Eid unless you are here."
`Eid Al-Adha, which started on Friday, November 27, is one of the two main religious festivals on the Islamic calendar and marks the end of the annual hajj journey.
For Muslims in the United States, mosques are the places to feel the spirit of the Muslim celebration.
Decorated mosques erect tents to welcome the faithful for special `Eid prayer and offer Muslims food and sweets in a festive mode.
Muslims come to the mosque to meet their relatives and friends.
"We come to the mosque wearing our best clothes," said Jacky Mohamed, who embraced Islam 22 years ago.
"After the prayer and khutba we start to socialize and get together. It is a blessed time for us."
`Eid in America's Mosques
Outside, vendors set up booths selling items from prayer caps to perfumes and Islamic books.
Though there are no official statistics, America is believed to be home to some 7-8 million Muslims.
Half Joy
It is not easy, however, for many Muslims to join their community in the mosques and celebrate `Eid if it does not fall on the weekend.
Mohamed, a grandmother, says that many Muslims have to take leave from their work and to take their children out of school at least for the first day.
"Some take all `Eid days off and some get to take the first day only."
Abu Bakr, who came to pray `Eid in the Islamic Center in Washington DC, says he always takes the first day off and lets his children miss out on school too to celebrate the religious holiday.
"If Christians can have their celebrations, and Jews can have their celebrations, we have to have ours too."
Faw`eya, an American Muslim from Egyptian origin, says that taking children out of school and having the first day off is a must, because they have to feel the spirit of `Eid in the mosque and among their community.
"If you only get to take half day off, then half day it is," she says.
"We just have to celebrate our holiday."
For Khalil, the Moroccan student, it is only the few hours he spends in the mosque on the first day of `Eid and then he will have to be back to his books and study.
"`Eid is different here from back in Muslim countries. But at least we have the mosque to give us a glimpse of `Eid."
WASHINGTON -- Mustafa Khalil quickens his steps, and with every step the melodious sound of the eid takbeer fills the air and his heart with joy.
"It is a very spiritual time," the Moroccan student, who has been living in Washington DC for two years now, told IslamOnline.net, after reaching his destination.
"But it does not feel like `Eid unless you are here."
`Eid Al-Adha, which started on Friday, November 27, is one of the two main religious festivals on the Islamic calendar and marks the end of the annual hajj journey.
For Muslims in the United States, mosques are the places to feel the spirit of the Muslim celebration.
Decorated mosques erect tents to welcome the faithful for special `Eid prayer and offer Muslims food and sweets in a festive mode.
Muslims come to the mosque to meet their relatives and friends.
"We come to the mosque wearing our best clothes," said Jacky Mohamed, who embraced Islam 22 years ago.
"After the prayer and khutba we start to socialize and get together. It is a blessed time for us."
`Eid in America's Mosques
Outside, vendors set up booths selling items from prayer caps to perfumes and Islamic books.
Though there are no official statistics, America is believed to be home to some 7-8 million Muslims.
Half Joy
It is not easy, however, for many Muslims to join their community in the mosques and celebrate `Eid if it does not fall on the weekend.
Mohamed, a grandmother, says that many Muslims have to take leave from their work and to take their children out of school at least for the first day.
"Some take all `Eid days off and some get to take the first day only."
Abu Bakr, who came to pray `Eid in the Islamic Center in Washington DC, says he always takes the first day off and lets his children miss out on school too to celebrate the religious holiday.
"If Christians can have their celebrations, and Jews can have their celebrations, we have to have ours too."
Faw`eya, an American Muslim from Egyptian origin, says that taking children out of school and having the first day off is a must, because they have to feel the spirit of `Eid in the mosque and among their community.
"If you only get to take half day off, then half day it is," she says.
"We just have to celebrate our holiday."
For Khalil, the Moroccan student, it is only the few hours he spends in the mosque on the first day of `Eid and then he will have to be back to his books and study.
"`Eid is different here from back in Muslim countries. But at least we have the mosque to give us a glimpse of `Eid."
Delhi celebrates Eid-ul-Zuha
New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Dressed in festive clothes, Muslims thronged mosques across the national capital Saturday to pray on Eid-ul-Zuha.
One of the main centres for the Eid festivities was the Jama Masjid where thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers.
In keeping with tradition, people wore new clothes to celebrate the festival.
After prayers, the devotees will sacrifice goats and other animals. People also donate meat to the poor on this occasion of sharing and sacrifice.
"I have just come back after offering namaaz. Now I will celebrate with my family and will distribute to the poor and underprivileged," said Khalid Mohammad, a resident of Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.
Eid-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakr-Eid or the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command. According to Islamic belief, Allah wanted to test Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
He agreed to do it, but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So, he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail at the altar on Mount Mina near Mecca. When he removed his blindfold after the sacrifice, he saw his son standing in front of him.
On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. It is in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the world sacrifice animals on the occasion to show their faith in God.
One of the main centres for the Eid festivities was the Jama Masjid where thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers.
In keeping with tradition, people wore new clothes to celebrate the festival.
After prayers, the devotees will sacrifice goats and other animals. People also donate meat to the poor on this occasion of sharing and sacrifice.
"I have just come back after offering namaaz. Now I will celebrate with my family and will distribute to the poor and underprivileged," said Khalid Mohammad, a resident of Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.
Eid-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakr-Eid or the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command. According to Islamic belief, Allah wanted to test Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
He agreed to do it, but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So, he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail at the altar on Mount Mina near Mecca. When he removed his blindfold after the sacrifice, he saw his son standing in front of him.
On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. It is in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the world sacrifice animals on the occasion to show their faith in God.
India celebrates Eid-ul-Zuha with spirit of sacrifice
New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Dressed in their finest, millions of Muslims Saturday thronged mosques across the country and then visited their relatives and friends to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Zuha.
In the national capital, one of the main centres for the Eid festivities was the historic Jama Masjid where thousands gathered to offer prayers.
After prayers, the devotees sacrificed goats and other animals and shared the meat with their relatives, friends and the poor.
Eid-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakr-Eid or the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command.
In keeping with tradition, people wore new clothes to celebrate the festival and also exchanged sweets. The old Delhi area also wore a festive look as the market was buzzing with people.
"I have just come back after offering namaaz. Now I will celebrate with my family and will distribute sweets to the poor and underprivileged," said Khalid Mohammad, a resident of Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in the morning. Thousands of others also offered prayers after which they sacrificed animals. At several places security personnel were seen exchanging greetings with locals. The festival was reported to be peaceful across the valley.
In Assam, people prayed for peace and communal harmony. At several places special prayers were held to end insurgency and violence in the state. On the occasion of Eid, members of both Hindu and Muslim communities greeted each other.
"Had I been at my home in Assam, Eid would have been very different. it is just like another holiday here," said Shabnam Ahmad, a student who lives in Delhi.
In Kerala, a state with a large Muslim population, the festival was celebrated Friday.
In Maharashtra, elaborate security arrangements were made for the festival. It was celebrated in several parts of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Malegaon, Aurangabad and Ahmednagar. There were no reports of any untoward incident.
In Hyderabad, the biggest congregation was held at historic Mir Alam Eidgah where thousands had gathered. The historic Mecca Masjid witnessed the second biggest congregation.
Prayers were also held at hundreds of mosques across the state. The markets were crowded throughout the night as shopping of goats continued.
In Patna too thousands gathered at historic Gandhi Maidan to pray and celebrate the festival with traditional fervour.
In Uttar Pradesh, the police had made adequate security arrangements. There was a heavy deployment of police and security personnel.
In Lucknow, the biggest crowds were seen at the Aishbagh Eidgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) and the Aasifi Masjid in the old city area here.
"We prayed to Allah to free our country from terrorism that has now become a global threat," said Naeem Ansari, a resident of Rakabganj locality in the old city area.
People also thronged the markets to buy new clothes and sweets for the festival.
In the national capital, one of the main centres for the Eid festivities was the historic Jama Masjid where thousands gathered to offer prayers.
After prayers, the devotees sacrificed goats and other animals and shared the meat with their relatives, friends and the poor.
Eid-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakr-Eid or the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command.
In keeping with tradition, people wore new clothes to celebrate the festival and also exchanged sweets. The old Delhi area also wore a festive look as the market was buzzing with people.
"I have just come back after offering namaaz. Now I will celebrate with my family and will distribute sweets to the poor and underprivileged," said Khalid Mohammad, a resident of Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in the morning. Thousands of others also offered prayers after which they sacrificed animals. At several places security personnel were seen exchanging greetings with locals. The festival was reported to be peaceful across the valley.
In Assam, people prayed for peace and communal harmony. At several places special prayers were held to end insurgency and violence in the state. On the occasion of Eid, members of both Hindu and Muslim communities greeted each other.
"Had I been at my home in Assam, Eid would have been very different. it is just like another holiday here," said Shabnam Ahmad, a student who lives in Delhi.
In Kerala, a state with a large Muslim population, the festival was celebrated Friday.
In Maharashtra, elaborate security arrangements were made for the festival. It was celebrated in several parts of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Malegaon, Aurangabad and Ahmednagar. There were no reports of any untoward incident.
In Hyderabad, the biggest congregation was held at historic Mir Alam Eidgah where thousands had gathered. The historic Mecca Masjid witnessed the second biggest congregation.
Prayers were also held at hundreds of mosques across the state. The markets were crowded throughout the night as shopping of goats continued.
In Patna too thousands gathered at historic Gandhi Maidan to pray and celebrate the festival with traditional fervour.
In Uttar Pradesh, the police had made adequate security arrangements. There was a heavy deployment of police and security personnel.
In Lucknow, the biggest crowds were seen at the Aishbagh Eidgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) and the Aasifi Masjid in the old city area here.
"We prayed to Allah to free our country from terrorism that has now become a global threat," said Naeem Ansari, a resident of Rakabganj locality in the old city area.
People also thronged the markets to buy new clothes and sweets for the festival.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Muslims in Kerala celebrate Bakr Eid
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Muslims across Kerala Friday gathered in mosques and special prayer centres to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, or Bakr Eid, the festival of sacrifice.
Soon after the morning prayers, thousands of devotees sacrificed goats and other animals. Meat was also donated to the poor in the spirit of sacrifice and giving that the festival symbolises.
The biggest crowds were seen in the Muslim dominated Malappuram district as well as in places such as Kozhikode and Kochi.
Bakr Eid is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command. According to Islamic belief, Allah wanted to test Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
He agreed to do it, but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So, he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail at the altar on Mount Mina near Mecca. When he removed his blindfold after the sacrifice, he saw his son standing in front of him.
On the altar lay slaughtered a lamb. It is in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the world sacrifice animals on the occasion to show their faith in Allah.
Huge crowds were seen outside mutton stalls across the state since Thursday evening. The price of mutton skyrocketed, touching Rs.250 per kg.
This year Malayalam superstar Mammootty, a devout Muslim, decided to celebrate the festival in Chennai to be with his family.
"In Tamil Nadu, this is being celebrated tomorrow and since it was convenient for my son and daughter to be in Chennai, we decided that my wife and I will celebrate there. Anyway it is a welcome break for me and today and tomorrow are off for me," Mammootty told IANS.
Muslims in Kerala constitute 24 percent of the 32 million population.
Thiruvananthapuram : Muslims across Kerala Friday gathered in mosques and special prayer centres to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, or Bakr Eid, the festival of sacrifice.
Soon after the morning prayers, thousands of devotees sacrificed goats and other animals. Meat was also donated to the poor in the spirit of sacrifice and giving that the festival symbolises.
The biggest crowds were seen in the Muslim dominated Malappuram district as well as in places such as Kozhikode and Kochi.
Bakr Eid is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command. According to Islamic belief, Allah wanted to test Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail.
He agreed to do it, but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So, he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail at the altar on Mount Mina near Mecca. When he removed his blindfold after the sacrifice, he saw his son standing in front of him.
On the altar lay slaughtered a lamb. It is in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the world sacrifice animals on the occasion to show their faith in Allah.
Huge crowds were seen outside mutton stalls across the state since Thursday evening. The price of mutton skyrocketed, touching Rs.250 per kg.
This year Malayalam superstar Mammootty, a devout Muslim, decided to celebrate the festival in Chennai to be with his family.
"In Tamil Nadu, this is being celebrated tomorrow and since it was convenient for my son and daughter to be in Chennai, we decided that my wife and I will celebrate there. Anyway it is a welcome break for me and today and tomorrow are off for me," Mammootty told IANS.
Muslims in Kerala constitute 24 percent of the 32 million population.
Estonia Muslims Celebrate Outdoor `Eid
By Alaa Abul-Enein
TALLINN – After decades of oppression under the Communist rule, Muslims in the northern European republic of Estonia are happily enjoying their religious festivals with congregational prayers and outdoor festivities.
"There are no restrictions on Muslims celebrating `Eid or performing their religious rituals," Liya Iman Makhmutova, director of the Islamic Society of Estonia’s women section, told IslamOnline.net.
In the early morning of Friday, November 27, Muslims in the capital Tallinn will flock to the Islamic Center for a special prayer marking `Eid el-Adha.
"After prayers, people stay in the mosques until the preacher finishes his sermon," she said.
The `Eid sermon is delivered in four languages; Russian, Estonian, Arabic and Tatari.
"It feels great when you see each worshipper enjoying the sermon delivered in his own language," explains Mufti Ildar Muhhamedsin.
The details of the `Eid might sound very common and basic for many Muslims around the world.
But for people who suffered for decades under the yoke of the Communist rule, they are not.
"Under the Communist rule people would gather in `Eid inside the house of one Muslim or maybe in the cemetery to pray and celebrate in secret," Makhmutova recalled.
"Now the situation has totally changed."
There are nearly 8,000 Muslims in Estonia, making up one percent of the country’s 1.2 million people.
Muslims are mainly Sunni Tatars and Shiite Azeri whose ancestors immigrated to Estonia after the passing of Livonia and Estonia into the Russian Empire in 1721.
The northern European country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the European Union in 2004.
Outdoor
Following the `Eid prayers, the Islamic Center in Tallinn organizes a small tea and cake part for the worshippers.
"This get-together is very important for Muslims," said Makhmutova.
"Many of those who attend the prayers are new reverts, who don’t have relatives to celebrate `Eid with," she explained.
"Therefore we meet after the prayers to celebrate `Eid together."
Muslims then go to make their sacrifice.
"Estonian Muslims are keen on performing Udhiyah," says Mufti Muhhamedsin.
A financially-able Muslim sacrifices a single sheep or goat or shares six others in sacrificing a camel or cow as an act of worship during the four-day `Eid Al-Adha.
The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to Allah as an act of obedience and submission.
The Udhiyah meat should be divided in three equal parts, one each for one's own family, friends and the poor.
The festivities begin on the second day of `Eid el-Adha.
"Many families prefer to celebrate `Eid in the open air," said Makhmutova.
"We rent a guesthouse in a forest where contests are organized and barbecues are served."
Families also prepare popular delicious meals such as Kabsa (a family of rice dishes, meat and vegetable).
Mufti Muhhamedsin says the outdoor celebration helps strengthen relations among Estonian Muslims.
"It is an opportunity to meet people we have not seen for long.
"It also allows youth and children to know each others and strengthen their relations."
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1258880571360&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
TALLINN – After decades of oppression under the Communist rule, Muslims in the northern European republic of Estonia are happily enjoying their religious festivals with congregational prayers and outdoor festivities.
"There are no restrictions on Muslims celebrating `Eid or performing their religious rituals," Liya Iman Makhmutova, director of the Islamic Society of Estonia’s women section, told IslamOnline.net.
In the early morning of Friday, November 27, Muslims in the capital Tallinn will flock to the Islamic Center for a special prayer marking `Eid el-Adha.
"After prayers, people stay in the mosques until the preacher finishes his sermon," she said.
The `Eid sermon is delivered in four languages; Russian, Estonian, Arabic and Tatari.
"It feels great when you see each worshipper enjoying the sermon delivered in his own language," explains Mufti Ildar Muhhamedsin.
The details of the `Eid might sound very common and basic for many Muslims around the world.
But for people who suffered for decades under the yoke of the Communist rule, they are not.
"Under the Communist rule people would gather in `Eid inside the house of one Muslim or maybe in the cemetery to pray and celebrate in secret," Makhmutova recalled.
"Now the situation has totally changed."
There are nearly 8,000 Muslims in Estonia, making up one percent of the country’s 1.2 million people.
Muslims are mainly Sunni Tatars and Shiite Azeri whose ancestors immigrated to Estonia after the passing of Livonia and Estonia into the Russian Empire in 1721.
The northern European country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the European Union in 2004.
Outdoor
Following the `Eid prayers, the Islamic Center in Tallinn organizes a small tea and cake part for the worshippers.
"This get-together is very important for Muslims," said Makhmutova.
"Many of those who attend the prayers are new reverts, who don’t have relatives to celebrate `Eid with," she explained.
"Therefore we meet after the prayers to celebrate `Eid together."
Muslims then go to make their sacrifice.
"Estonian Muslims are keen on performing Udhiyah," says Mufti Muhhamedsin.
A financially-able Muslim sacrifices a single sheep or goat or shares six others in sacrificing a camel or cow as an act of worship during the four-day `Eid Al-Adha.
The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to Allah as an act of obedience and submission.
The Udhiyah meat should be divided in three equal parts, one each for one's own family, friends and the poor.
The festivities begin on the second day of `Eid el-Adha.
"Many families prefer to celebrate `Eid in the open air," said Makhmutova.
"We rent a guesthouse in a forest where contests are organized and barbecues are served."
Families also prepare popular delicious meals such as Kabsa (a family of rice dishes, meat and vegetable).
Mufti Muhhamedsin says the outdoor celebration helps strengthen relations among Estonian Muslims.
"It is an opportunity to meet people we have not seen for long.
"It also allows youth and children to know each others and strengthen their relations."
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1258880571360&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Twin blasts rocks Assam, five killed, 50 injured
By IANS,
Guwahati : Two powerful explosions rocked Assam's Nalbari town Sunday, killing five people and wounding more than 50, police said.
The explosions are seen as a retaliatory strike by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) after two of its senior leaders were arrested earlier this month, officials said.
The blasts took place in a span of about 20 minutes, beginning at 10 a.m. Nalbari town is about 70 km west of Assam's main city of Guwahati.
"Preliminary reports indicate five people were killed and more than 50 injured in the twin explosions," a senior police official said.
Police had earlier claimed there were three explosions. They later confirmed there were just two blasts, and the third was just firecrackers going off in a nearby locality.
The first explosion took place just outside the Nalbari police station, while the second went off about 20 meters away around 10.20 a.m. near a market.
"Both the bombs were packed in sacks and kept on parked bicycles," the official said.
Most of the victims were morning shoppers or vendors as there was a Sunday market teeming with people close to the blast sites.
"It was total panic and chaos with human limbs strewn all over the place and blood splattered on the road," Ankur Das, a witness, told IANS.
"The sound of the first blast was deafening. The second explosion took place in front of our eyes. Many people who came rushing to the site of the first explosion got injured in the second blast," another witness Biplab Barman said.
Police blamed the ULFA for the twin explosions.
"The modus operandi of the two blasts suggests it was the handiwork of the ULFA. The explosions are nothing but attempts to make a point after two of their top leaders were arrested," the official said.
ULFA "foreign secretary" Sasha Choudhury and "finance secretary" Chitraban Hazarika, in police remand since Nov 6, were arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) near Gokul Nagar in Tripura Nov 5 while trying to sneak into India. The duo were based in Dhaka. The ULFA has denied their arrest.
There have been reports in a section of the media that the two were arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to the Indian authorities Nov 2.
On Monday, ULFA rebels blew up a petroleum-laden train in eastern Assam. At least 20 wagons went up in flames and a loss of Rs.100 million was estimated.
The ULFA is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland in Assam since 1979. The insurgency in the state has claimed about 10,000 lives in the past two decades.
Guwahati : Two powerful explosions rocked Assam's Nalbari town Sunday, killing five people and wounding more than 50, police said.
The explosions are seen as a retaliatory strike by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) after two of its senior leaders were arrested earlier this month, officials said.
The blasts took place in a span of about 20 minutes, beginning at 10 a.m. Nalbari town is about 70 km west of Assam's main city of Guwahati.
"Preliminary reports indicate five people were killed and more than 50 injured in the twin explosions," a senior police official said.
Police had earlier claimed there were three explosions. They later confirmed there were just two blasts, and the third was just firecrackers going off in a nearby locality.
The first explosion took place just outside the Nalbari police station, while the second went off about 20 meters away around 10.20 a.m. near a market.
"Both the bombs were packed in sacks and kept on parked bicycles," the official said.
Most of the victims were morning shoppers or vendors as there was a Sunday market teeming with people close to the blast sites.
"It was total panic and chaos with human limbs strewn all over the place and blood splattered on the road," Ankur Das, a witness, told IANS.
"The sound of the first blast was deafening. The second explosion took place in front of our eyes. Many people who came rushing to the site of the first explosion got injured in the second blast," another witness Biplab Barman said.
Police blamed the ULFA for the twin explosions.
"The modus operandi of the two blasts suggests it was the handiwork of the ULFA. The explosions are nothing but attempts to make a point after two of their top leaders were arrested," the official said.
ULFA "foreign secretary" Sasha Choudhury and "finance secretary" Chitraban Hazarika, in police remand since Nov 6, were arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) near Gokul Nagar in Tripura Nov 5 while trying to sneak into India. The duo were based in Dhaka. The ULFA has denied their arrest.
There have been reports in a section of the media that the two were arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to the Indian authorities Nov 2.
On Monday, ULFA rebels blew up a petroleum-laden train in eastern Assam. At least 20 wagons went up in flames and a loss of Rs.100 million was estimated.
The ULFA is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland in Assam since 1979. The insurgency in the state has claimed about 10,000 lives in the past two decades.
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