Two die as Indian rebels bomb pipeline

Separatist rebels set off bombs and blew up an oil pipeline in north-east India ahead of national day celebrations next week, killing two people and wounding 10, police said today.

The guerrillas also lobbed hand grenades at two police stations in Assam state last night, but there were no casualties, said Khagen Sharma, inspector-general of state police.

“Rebels carried out a string of explosions in different parts of Assam state to demonstrate their strike potential. Our security forces are on a high alert,” Sharma said.

He blamed the United Liberation Front of Asom, or ULFA, for the attacks. The group has been fighting for the independence of Assam from India since 1979. No one claimed responsibility for the attacks.

In December, ULFA rejected an invitation by India’s federal government for peace talks, saying the offer did not mention its main demand for sovereignty. At least 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in fighting over the past 15 years.

The separatists step up attacks every year ahead of India’s national day celebrations on January 26, which commemorate adoption of the country’s constitution in 1950 after independence from Britain in 1947.

Ten separatist rebel groups have called for a boycott of India’s Republic Day celebrations in five of the seven north-eastern states.

They accuse India of plundering the resources of the region, which is rich in tea, timber and oil, and say they have been fighting to protect their ethnic identities.