India: 15 convicted over 2008 bombings

By Ahmad Adil</p> <p><br></p> <p>CHANDIGARH, India (AA) – An Indian court on Monday convicted 15 people over serial bombings in 2008 in the northeast state of Assam in 2008, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, local media reported.</p> <p><br></p> <p>A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Guwahati convicted the people, including Ranjan Daimary, founder of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), designated a terrorist group by India.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In October 2008, multiple blasts took place in the state, killing at least 88 and wounding nearly 500.</p> <p><br></p> <p>“Special public prosecutor TD Goswami said the state has demanded the death penalty. The CBI special court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on Jan. 30,” the Hindustan Times reported Monday.</p> <p><br></p> <p>According to the report, a total of 22 people are accused in the case, including seven fugitives from the law, two of whom are believed dead.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Local media reported that the state government in 2017 set up a special court in 2017 exclusively for putting the trial on a fast track.