Blast
[Representational image]Creative Commons

A blast has led to the death of one person in the Dikom area of Dibrugarh in Assam, a state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit on Friday. The blast occurred on Thursday, May 24, near an oil pipeline, and is believed to have been of low intensity. 

Local sources say United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), or ULFA(I), has claimed responsibility for the blast. ULFA itself is an organisation that is looking for an independent Assam, amid allegations that it has received helped from China in its quest. ULFA(I) is the anti-talks faction of this organisation. 

Local auhorities subsequently identified the deceased as a member of ULFA(I), giving rise to speculation that he may have perished in the blast because there was premature detonation. 

Meanwhile, because the blast occurred a day before Modi's visit to Assam, security and intelligence agencies in the state have stepped up their vigilance.