GUWAHATI: The self-styled president of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the CBI Special Court here on Wednesday for his involvement in the October 30, 2008 serial blasts in Assam.
In reaction, the NDFB in a statement issued to media has called for 12-hour Assam bandh on Thursday in protest against the court verdict to award life imprisonment to its leader Ranjan Daimary.
The court earlier on Monday pronounced Ranjan Daimary and others guilty of triggering the serial blasts while terming Ranjan Daimary the mastermind of terror attack on innocent people.
Nine others — George Boro, Ajoy Basumatary, Khargeswar Basumatary, Rajen Goyari, Lokra Basumatary, Raju Sarkar, Onsai Boro, Indra Brahma and Baisagi — found guilty in the crime were also sentenced to life imprisonment by the court.
Three other accused – Jayanti Brahma, Mathuram Brahma, Prabhat Boro — were fined and imprisoned for five years for their involvement in the heinous crime. One of the accused had been acquitted by the court.
Meanwhile, the counsel for Ranjan Daimary, Manas Sarania said the verdict of the CBI Special Court would be challenged in the High Court and if required, in the Supreme Court later.
Meanwhile, the NDFB on Tuesday stated that the conviction of its leader Ranjan Daimary and others by the CBI Special Court in Guwahati would not augur well for the on-going peace talks between the outfit and the Government of India.
In a statement e-mailed to the media, the NDFB general secretary, B Ohnjalu stated that in view of the conviction of its leader Ranjan Daimary, the outfit would be forced to reconsider the purpose of the peace process and re-evaluate the earnestness of Government of India in case its president Daimary is sent to jail.
The NDFB faction headed by Ranjan Daimary has been engaged in peace process with the Government of India since 2013 and Daimary had been facilitated on bail to take part in the peace process.
Daimary was apprehended in Bangladesh in December, 2009 and was handed over the Government of India in 2010 following which he was arrested.