DATE=7/29/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236223
TITLE=INDIA / MILITANTS (L-O) CQ
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTEN
INTRO: IN INDIA'S REMOTE NORTHEASTERN STATE OF ASSAM,
AUTHORITIES SAY EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AND 19 OTHERS
WOUNDED IN A POWERFUL BOMB EXPLOSION. POLICE ARE BLAMING THE
ATTACK ON BODO TRIBAL GUERRILLAS. ANJANA PASRICHA REPORTS FROM
NEW DELHI.
TEXT: THE BOMB EXPLODED WEDNESDAY IN A VILLAGE MARKETPLACE IN
ASSAM'S NALBARI DISTRICT. POLICE SAY THE WEEKLY MARKET WAS FULL
OF SHOPPERS AT THE TIME OF THE ATTACK.
POLICE HAVE CORDONED OFF THE AREA AND INTENSIFIED SECURITY IN THE
REGION AS THEY LAUNCH A SEARCH OPERATION.
NO ONE HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK, BUT POLICE
SUSPECT BODO REBELS SET THE BOMB. THE BODOS HAVE BEEN
CAMPAIGNING FOR A SEPARATE STATE WITHIN ASSAM SINCE 1987.
THEIR CAMPAIGN IS OFTEN VIOLENT, AS THEY TARGET BOTH RIVAL TRIBES
AND SECURITY FORCES TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR DEMANDS.
THE BODOS BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR DENYING THEM POLITICAL AND
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE REBELS SAY AUTHORITIES HAVE
NEGLECTED DEVELOPMENT OF THE REMOTE AREA THEY INHABIT, AND FEAR
THEY ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR MAJORITY-STATUS TO WAVES OF
BANGLA-SPEAKING IMMIGRANTS.
THE BODO MILITANCY IS ONE OF SEVERAL INSURGENCIES INDIAN SECURITY
FORCES ARE GRAPPLING WITH IN SEPARATE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
IN THE NORTHERN JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE, HUNDREDS OF KILOMETERS
FROM ASSAM, AUTHORITIES SAY AN EXPLOSION RIPPED APART AN ARMY
TRUCK (WEDNESDAY) KILLING TWO SOLDIERS AND WOUNDING SEVERAL
OTHERS. OFFICIALS SAY THE EXPLOSION IN THE POONCH DISTRICT WAS
CAUSED BY EITHER A LAND MINE OR A BOMB PLANTED BY SUSPECTED
MUSLIM MILITANTS.
MUSLIM SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR NEARLY A
DECADE TO FREE PREDOMINATLY-MUSLIM KASHMIR FROM HINDU-MAJORITY
INDIA. NEARLY 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE INSURGENCY.
(SIGNED)
NEB/AP/LTD/RAE
29-Jul-98 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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