ULFA 145;sorry146; for deaths, claims responsibility

ULFA has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast in Assam8217;s Dhemaji district and blamed the state government for using children as a tool to achieve its political goals. In an e-mail statement on Monday, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said the outfit, along with five other militant outfits of the North-East, had appealed to the people to boycott the Independence Day celebrations and observe the day as a 8216;Protest Day8217;. The ULFA chief expressed 8216;8216;deep sorrow8217;8217; at the tragic death of the students and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families. He also appealed to the people 8216;8216;not to misunderstand the ULFA8217;8217;.