October 30, 2008 (Black Day)- Dark Day in Assam history; 17 years on, remembering the departed souls
October 30, 2008 (Black Day)- Dark Day in Assam history; 17 years on, remembering the departed souls
Digital Desk: October 30 will always be remembered as a Dark Day in Assamese history.
On this day, 17 years have passed since the 2008 series of bombings in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road, and Bongaigaon that left 88 people dead and over 500 injured.
Going back to the tragic day, the tragedy occurred within 15 minutes. The deadliest explosions in Assam's history ripped through public areas and busy markets on October 30, 2008, leaving behind damaged buildings, burned cars, and multiple fatalities.
Ranjan Daimary, the head of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at the time, orchestrated the attacks. High-grade explosives such as PETN, TNT, and RDX were used.
In 2019, Daimary and 14 other people were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison; the Gauhati High Court upheld this decision in 2022.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted in X, stating, “October 30, 2008, will always be a dark day in the history of Assam, as it witnessed the most dastardly attack on its soil. As we mark this solemn occasion, I pay my tributes to all those who lost their lives in the serial blasts and vow to never let Assam go back to those dark days.
30th Oct 2008 will always be a dark day in the history of Assam as it witnessed the most dastardly attack on its soil.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 30, 2025
As we mark this solemn occasion, I pay my tributes to all those who lost their lives the serial blasts and vow to never let Assam go back to those dark days. pic.twitter.com/2UWytDmwsx
It is to be mentioned that people in Guwahati come together every year on October 30 to stand still, hold candles, and offer prayers for the souls of those who have tragically passed away.
