This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7701298.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
India explosions death toll rises India explosions death toll rises
(30 minutes later)
The death toll in a series of bomb explosions in India's north-eastern state of Assam has risen to over 70, the state's health minister says.The death toll in a series of bomb explosions in India's north-eastern state of Assam has risen to over 70, the state's health minister says.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said 10 people who were injured in Thursday's blasts died in hospitals during the night.Himanta Biswa Sarma said 10 people who were injured in Thursday's blasts died in hospitals during the night.
Indian PM Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house of parliament, is due in the state.Indian PM Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house of parliament, is due in the state.
More than 300 others were injured in at least 18 blasts, the majority of them in the state capital, Guwahati.More than 300 others were injured in at least 18 blasts, the majority of them in the state capital, Guwahati.
The separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) has denied any role in the blasts, blaming Indian "occupation forces" for engineering them.The separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) has denied any role in the blasts, blaming Indian "occupation forces" for engineering them.
But a statement issued by self-styled "lieutenant" Anjan Borthakur on behalf of Ulfa's "Military Council" said Ulfa had been blamed as part of a "disinformation campaign".But a statement issued by self-styled "lieutenant" Anjan Borthakur on behalf of Ulfa's "Military Council" said Ulfa had been blamed as part of a "disinformation campaign".
Security forces have been fighting separatist rebels in Assam for decades.Security forces have been fighting separatist rebels in Assam for decades.
'Desperate for survival''Desperate for survival'
Security analysts say that the group has been blamed for engineering similar serial blasts in Assam in the past.Security analysts say that the group has been blamed for engineering similar serial blasts in Assam in the past.
Analyst Jaideep Saikia told the BBC that Ulfa has been behind 11 in Assam since 2002 with between 10 and 40 people killed in each explosion.Analyst Jaideep Saikia told the BBC that Ulfa has been behind 11 in Assam since 2002 with between 10 and 40 people killed in each explosion.
For the past 10 years, the group has been blamed for bombings targeting gas and oil pipelines, oil depots and areas populated by migrant workers.For the past 10 years, the group has been blamed for bombings targeting gas and oil pipelines, oil depots and areas populated by migrant workers.
Assam violence Q&AAssam violence Q&A
Assam police intelligence chief Khagen Sharma told the BBC that the latest bombings proved that Ulfa was "desperate for survival and does not mind killing even local people indiscriminately".Assam police intelligence chief Khagen Sharma told the BBC that the latest bombings proved that Ulfa was "desperate for survival and does not mind killing even local people indiscriminately".
The group began an armed rebellion against what it describes as colonial rule by Delhi in 1979. Thousands of people have died in the violence.The group began an armed rebellion against what it describes as colonial rule by Delhi in 1979. Thousands of people have died in the violence.
An effort to start peace talks between the rebels and the Indian government broke down in 2006.An effort to start peace talks between the rebels and the Indian government broke down in 2006.
The rebels are seeking a separate homeland for the Assamese people and demanding that non-indigenous people, particularly Hindi and Bengali speakers, leave Assam.The rebels are seeking a separate homeland for the Assamese people and demanding that non-indigenous people, particularly Hindi and Bengali speakers, leave Assam.
Separately, seven policemen and a surrendered insurgent were killed in an ambush by a group called Black Widow in the state's North Cachar Hill district late on Thursday, police said.Separately, seven policemen and a surrendered insurgent were killed in an ambush by a group called Black Widow in the state's North Cachar Hill district late on Thursday, police said.
The breakaway tribal rebel group, who have regularly attacked security forces and expatriate workers, is fighting for an independent homeland for the Dimasa tribe.The breakaway tribal rebel group, who have regularly attacked security forces and expatriate workers, is fighting for an independent homeland for the Dimasa tribe.
Thursday's explosions in Guwahati and the towns of Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon occurred within an hour of each other, after 1100 local time (0530 GMT).Thursday's explosions in Guwahati and the towns of Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon occurred within an hour of each other, after 1100 local time (0530 GMT).
There have been a number of major bomb attacks in India in the past few months, many of them blamed on local Islamist groups.There have been a number of major bomb attacks in India in the past few months, many of them blamed on local Islamist groups.
But local separatists have been held responsible for recent explosions in north-eastern cities.But local separatists have been held responsible for recent explosions in north-eastern cities.
Two north-eastern state capitals - Agartala in Tripura and Imphal in Manipur - saw serial explosions this month.Two north-eastern state capitals - Agartala in Tripura and Imphal in Manipur - saw serial explosions this month.
At least 20 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the blasts.At least 20 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the blasts.