7 low intensity blasts in Assam, Manipur on Republic Day

Dibrugarh: Seven blasts rocked the north- eastern states of Assam and Manipur on the occasion of Republic Day today even as celebrations were held in other parts of the country with the states showcasing their cultural diversity and the might of security forces.

Five serial blasts by anti-talk ULFA (Independent) shook upper Assam as low intensity IEDS were detonated in Charaidow, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, police said.

In Dibrugarh town, the blast took place just 500 metres away from Chowkidingi Parade ground where the national flag was being unfurled at an official function. Due to high security in the area, the militants threw the bomb into a drain near a tea garden where it went off, police said.

Two powerful bombs were blasted simultaneously by suspected militants in Manipur's Imphal East and West districts, police said.

One blast took place at Mantripukhri near 69 CRPF Battalion barrack in Imphal East district.

There was no report of any casualty in the blasts. Only a brick wall was damaged in Manipur, they said.

In Vishakhapatnam, more than 100 youths, including Telugu actor Sampoornesh Babu, were detained by police ahead of their proposed silent protest called to demand special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, in the state capitals, Governors took the salute at traditional parades marking the occasion when on this day in 1950 India became a republic.

Chief Ministers unfurled the national flag as the states showcased the country's cultural diversity at parades where smartly dressed contingents of security forces held march pasts. Colourfully decorated tableaux also displayed the rich cultural traditions.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, following the blasts in Assam, said the government will continue to fight insurgency and people of the state are united against it.

On the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Indian democracy has to be guarded against "Hitlerite forces".

Punjab, Haryana, UT Chandigarh and the national capital witnessed rains during the celebrations.

It was raining since early this morning at most places in Punjab and Haryana, including the UT, leaving several function venues in Patiala, Jalandhar, Mohali, Kurukshetra and Panchkula drenched.

Mizoram Governor Lt General Nirbhay Sharma said the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), a flagship programme of the state government, is in the final stages of implementation.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor V Shanmuganathan launched 'Dulari Kanya', a special scheme to check infant mortality in the state under which the government will deposit Rs 20,000 in the bank account of a girl child, born in any government hospital.

Kerala Governor P Sathasivam said the state is on its way to be declared as a fully electrified-state by providing power connections to 2.5 lakh houses.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan exhorted people, particularly the youth, to contribute their bit to enable the state surge ahead on the path of progress.

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala said the state government has released Rs 776 crore during 2016-17 for the Smart City Mission project being implemented in six cities of the state and Rs 1,188 crore would be provided in the coming fiscal.

Meanwhile, for only the second time in more than a decade, mobile phone and mobile internet services in Kashmir were not disrupted as part of the security drill for Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

Mobile phone and mobile internet services were not snapped when the Republic Day parade began at Kashmir's main venue Bakshi Stadium and other district headquarters.

Since 2003, when mobile phones were introduced, it is the second time after January 2015 that mobile phone and internet services have not been curtailed.