LAKHIMPUR: Following the Gauhati High Court’s verdict, pronounced on August 23 by acquitting the accused of 2004 Dhemaji bomb blast case, reaction against the brutal incident continues in the district of Dhemaji. Of late, the Dhemaji Citizens’ Association (Dhemaji Nagarik Santha) has demanded that the bomb blast case should be re-investigated by Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) or National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A bomb exploded at Dhemaji College playground on August 15, 2004 when people of Dhemaji, mostly school children and their mothers, gathered there to celebrate the Independence Day. The explosion killed a total of 13 people, including 10 innocent children and three women, and injured more than 21 persons. The explosion was allegedly triggered by the militants of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
The case registered regarding the blast, vide No. 127/2011 US 120B/121/121A/122/302/326 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, had been under trial in Dhemaji District and Session Court for a long period. Finally, Dhemaji Police submitted charge-sheets against 15 persons in connection with the case. On July 4, 2019, Dhemaji District and Session Court awarded life imprisonment to four accused of the case out of the 15 while two were sentenced four-year rigorous punishment. On the the other hand, eight persons were acquitted from the case for lack of evidence while one accused was declared absconding.
Later, the six accused challenged the verdict of the Dhemaji District and Session Court in Gauhati High Court which pronounced its verdict recenly. A division bench of the Gauhati High Court, comprising of Justice Michael Zothankhuma and Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita overturned the 2019 order of the Dhemaji District and Sessions Court and acquitted the accused of all charges framed against them. The High Court had acquitted them on the ground that the prosecution had not been able to prove the charges against them beyond a reasonable doubt as the investigating officers of the case had failed to nail the culprits of the heinous incident. The verdict seemed an added insult to the victims’ families and relatives.
Under such circumstances, the Dhemaji Citizens’ Association demanded the re-investigation of the case by CBI or NIA in view of providing justice to the victims of the incident. The organization held a meeting in the Dhemaji Bishnu Mandir premises regarding the issue recently and the meeting expressed dissatisfaction while reacting to the High Court’s verdict. The event commenced with president Mahendra Nath Konwar in the chair while objective of the same was explained by secretary Dibya Dutta. Several prominent persons of Dhemaji attended the meeting and shared their thoughts and views regarding the case. The meeting held State Home Department, Dhemaji Police and investigating officers accountable for the failure of providing justice to the victims families.
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