Assam government on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the two persons killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in upper Assam's Sibsagar district on Thursday night, officials said.
Besides the two deaths, several others were injured in the explosion that took place in front of a hardware shop by suspected ULFA(I) militants at Demow.
Two persons were detained for questioning in connection of the incident, police said.
Minister of State for Power Topon Kumar Gogoi on Friday met the family members of the two deceased and informed them that the state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to each of the two families.
The money would be handed over to them by Friday itself, Gogoi said.
The minister also inspected the explosion spot.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the blast was triggered by an improvised explosive devise (IED) and not a grenade as initially reported, District Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha told reporters.
Security measures in the district have been intensified, Jha C said.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the incident and directed Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia to take immediate measures to nab the culprits involved in the incident.
The two persons killed in the explosion were identified as Kamal Agarwal, brother of the owner of the hardware shop, and Arup Gupta, a customer
The needle of suspicion was towards the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), led by Paresh Baruah.
The ULFA(I) has recently stepped up its activities in upper Assam districts resorting to killings and kidnappings, including the gunning down of five men at Dhola in Tinsukia district on November 1.
The militants also allegedly abducted a tea garden manager in Charaideo district, a stone quarry manager in Tinsukia district and a trader in Karbi Anglong district this week.
A number of youths including Baruah's nephew, have joined the militant organisation since September.
However, senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sought to underplay this, saying there was nothing new in youngsters from the state joining the proscribed outfit.
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