64 killed, 364 hurt in Assam blasts

12 serial explosions in 4 dists Guwahati, October 30 In one of the worst terror strikes in the country in recent times, at least 61 (64, according to agencies) persons were killed and 364 injured, many of them seriously, when terrorists detonated 12 serial explosions in four districts — Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta — in Assam around 11.30 a.m. today. Shortage of blood hits victims’ treatment

‘Jehadi’ handiwork, says police Guwahati , October 30 The Assam police suspects the blasts to be the handiwork of “jehadi” elements even as the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has denied its involvement in the act of terror. Assam police intelligence chief Khagendra Nath Sharma told newspersons here today that preliminary investigations pointed at the involvement of “jehadi groups”. Union cabinet reviews security situation

Every Saturday

People carry the body of a woman from the blast site at the Ganeshguri area in Guwahati on Thursday. — AFP photo

Defeat divisive forces: PM
Hazur Sahib, October 30
After paying obeisance at Takht Hazur Sahib, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called upon the Sikh community to be instrumental in protecting the unity and integrity of the country like they had done in the past. Appreciating Sikhs community’s contribution in the nation building, the Prime Minister said the Khalsa was formed to defend the country.

Nation page: Talwandi Sabo, Anandpur Sahib to go Nanded way

Medicity Muddle
Missing: Checkpoints
Chandigarh, October 30
The controversial Medicity project would not have hit the reputation of the UT administration, if there were checks and balances on the powers of the administrator, in this case Gen S. F. Rodrigues (retd). He has overruled his adviser Pradip Mehra, the seniormost bureaucrat in the administration, without meeting the points raised by him.

Flying Finn from Punjab
Chandigarh, October 30
After a record success of Indian-Canadians in the 40th general elections to the House of Commons, yet another Punjabi has scripted a political success story. This time it is in Scandinavian country of Finland. The successful person is none other than Ranbir Singh Sodhi of Dhuri who has made it to the Council of Governors of Vantaa, a province in Finland.

Double delight in Delhi
Gambhir, Laxman score double hundreds as India declare at 613 for 7
New Delhi, October 30
Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman slammed double centuries as India indulged in a run feast to pile up a huge first innings total of 613 for 7 (161 overs, 704m) on the second day of the third Test against Australia at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here today. (Details on Sports page)

Chinese bugbear is too much with us, says MP Left Out in Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang, the local MP, is angry that the Chinese bugbear is hampering development in Ladakh region. “Our security set-up is obsessed with apprehensions about what the Chinese can or cannot do. Such a mindset has affected development of huge stretches of the Ladakh region bordering China and Pakistan,” Chhewang told The Tribune.