Seventeen years after the deadly serial blasts of October 30, 2008, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) once again gathered at Latasil field in Guwahati to remember the victims and remind the state of the painful chapter that remains fresh in the hearts of many. The organisation held a solemn candle-lighting ceremony on Thursday evening and urged the government not to neglect the incident or the people who suffered because of it.
The event was held under the theme “Sontorasbad Nipaat Jaok” (Down with Terrorism). AASU leaders, members, and citizens silently paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the serial blasts caused by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in 2008. The blasts had shaken the entire state and left a deep emotional scar on the people of Assam.
AASU Chief Adviser Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya and President Utpal Sarma led the ceremony. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Bhattacharjya said that AASU will always stand with the families of the victims and continue to demand justice. He said the families have waited for too long without proper answers or action. “Even after 17 years, justice remains elusive. The government must announce when the culprits will be punished. The families of those killed and injured deserve rehabilitation and proper medical care,” he said. 
AASU leaders also criticised the government, saying it has been trying to push the memory of the tragedy into the background. They said that by not holding any official remembrance programme, the government has shown a lack of respect toward the victims and the history of the state. According to them, the October 30 blasts are one of the darkest days in Assam, and forgetting such a tragedy sends the wrong message to the public.
The programme ended with strong slogans of “Sontorasbad Nipaat Jaok”, as those present pledged to continue standing against terrorism and to protect peace and harmony in Assam. Participants said that the fight against terrorism is not only about remembering the past but also about ensuring a safe future for coming generations.
During the event, Dr. Bhattacharjya also urged the public to support the upcoming film “Roi Roi Binale,” the dream project of late singer Zubeen Garg. He asked the authorities to take strict action against those involved in defacing or removing the film’s posters. He added that respecting artists and their contributions is also a way of strengthening the cultural spirit of Assam.
