Soon after five explosions in Assam rocked the country amid high-security measures on the 71st Republic Day, the banned separatist outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) on Sunday claimed responsibility for the blasts. On the early hours of Sunday morning, five low-intensity blasts shook upper Assam. Soon after launching an investigation into the matter, the Assam Police had expressed suspicions that the explosions may have been conducted by ULFA-I. According to reports, the terrorist organisation had earlier issued a call for a 'general strike' on Sunday and asked citizens to abstain from taking part in Republic Day celebrations. The ULFA(I), led by self-styled army chief Paresh Baruah, is a separatist organisation seeking to establish an independent state of Assam with armed struggle in the Assam insurgency movements.

Source: dna January 26, 2020 11:26 UTC