Two Decades of Despair: Seeking Justice for Dhemaji Blast Victims

Shanti Gogoi has been seeking justice for 20 years for her daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild killed in a bomb blast during Assam’s Independence Day celebration in Dhemaji. The attack orchestrated by ULFA killed 13 people. The Gauhati High Court acquitted the accused, but Gogoi and others now pin hopes on the Supreme Court.

Shanti Gogoi has been waiting for 20 long years to see justice served for the killing of her daughter-in-law and her unborn child in the ULFA-orchestrated bomb blast during the Independence Day celebration in Dhemaji, Assam.

Gogoi's daughter-in-law and 12 others, including children, were killed in the 2004 explosion, which occurred just minutes before the flag hoisting ceremony. The lack of evidence led to the acquittal of the accused by the Gauhati High Court a year ago, dampening the hopes of justice for the victims.

Despite the setbacks, Gogoi and her fellow sufferers now look to the Supreme Court for justice, with their last hopes pinned on the ongoing legal battle initiated by the Assam government. The beaten-down families, who lost their loved ones in the attack, cling to the hope that the highest court will offer the solace they seek.

(With inputs from agencies.)