India extends ban on rebel groups

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta

The blasts took place in busy areas

Indian authorities have extended a ban on two separatist groups who have been blamed for last month's serial blasts in north-eastern Assam state.

The explosions killed 84 people and left more than 200 others injured.

The ban on the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) has been extended by two more years.

The interior ministry ban on these two separatist groups was supposed to expire later this month.

The Ulfa is the leading Assamese separatist group, and the NDFB fights for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe.

Both groups have denied any involvement in the explosions.

More arrests

"But we have evidence that both these groups were involved in the serial explosions. So we have decided to extend the ban," an interior ministry spokesman told the BBC.

NDFB is involved in negotiations with the Indian government with a ceasefire in place.

The government would also review whether talks with the NDFB, now into the second year, could be continued and whether the ceasefire would hold, the interior ministry spokesman said.

On Wednesday, the Assam police arrested a Bhutanese national in connection with the 30 October serial explosions in the state.

Tenjing G Zangpo was produced in a court in the state capital, Guwahati, on charges of being involved in the explosions.

The court remanded Zangpo to 10 days in police custody.

Zangpo is believed to be a leader of the Bhutanese opposition group, Druk National Congress, but the police is not confirming this.

Eight other Assamese and Bodos, believed to be close to separatist organisations of their ethnic groups, have been arrested for alleged involvement in the blasts.