Guwahati: Assam blast probe key accused Ranjan Daimary, who was handed over by Bangladesh Rifles to Indian authorities, was today produced before a Kamrup court which remanded him to 12-day police custody.
Daimary, chief of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), was arrested by the Bangladesh Rifles and handed over to Indian authorities yesterday.
He was brought to the court in a five-vehicle convoy amid tight security.
Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate Robin Phukan gave the order after a short hearing.
Daimary was not represented by any lawyer as the Lawyers Association of Assam has decided not to defend him due to his alleged involvement in the October 30, 2008 serial bomb blasts which claimed 92 lives including several advocates.
Nine serial explosions had rocked Assam - three each in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, two in Barpeta Road, and one in Bongaigaon. The blasts had left a trail of death and destruction and over 800 wounded.
Of this, three blasts were in Guwahati, including one inside the CJM's court premises, claiming 60 lives and leaving over 200 injured.
Daimary, a post graduate in political science, is suspected to have masterminded the blasts.
Formed in 1986, NDFB has been spearheading the demand for a separate homeland for the Bodo tribes people in Assam.
Interpol has been on the look out for the 5ft 7 inches tall Daimary against whom there are Red Corner notices have been issued.
Meanwhile, at least 10 people were injured when police allegedly lathicharged stone-pelting supporters of Daimary who wanted to get inside the court.
The supporters, who had come from Baksa, Udalguri and Kokrajhar areas, tried to break through barricades set up in a one-km radius of the court to prevent their entry, police said.
Daimary's sister Anjali Daimary, chief of the Bodo Womens' Forum, alleged that she was roughed up by police when she came to the court.
"We have not been given any information by the police about the presence of Daimary in Assam. We are just following the TV news and newspapers. Members of my family and I along with Bodo people had come to meet him," she said.
Daimary was brought to the CJM court from Special Branch Headquarters amidst tight security. He was not allowed to speak to the waiting media.
All Assam Lawyers' Association's Sailen Das said the decision to not defend any accused in the blasts case was taken by the Guwahati Lawyers' Association and was later endorsed by the AALA, which comprises lawyers of all the 37 bar associations of the state.
"The Association will stick to its decision of not appearing on Daimary's behalf and a review meeting in this regard is scheduled to be held tomorrow where the issue will be further discussed." he said.
The CBI had chargesheeted Daimary as the prime accused in October 30 serial blasts, including the one at the CJM Court which had claimed the lives of three lawyers and seven court employees.