The foundation stone of the proposed memorial to those killed in the blast in Dhemaji last year. Picture by UB Photos

Dhemaji, Aug. 14: Fear has clouded freedom in Dhemaji.

?What if..?? This is the question on everyone?s lips a year after an Ulfa-triggered blast during the Independence Day parade in this Upper Assam town left 13, including 10 schoolchildren, dead.

Rupinath Narah, a student of Class IX at Arunudoi High School, wants to attend the Independence Day function at the Court Field tomorrow, but his father is clearly hesitant about allowing his son to do so.

At the residence of the Saikias in Ratanpur, 2 km from the town, the mere mention of Independence Day revives memories of the tragedy that befell the family last year. ?We lost both our daughters and I do not want to lose my sons. Who will guarantee that the same thing will not happen this time?? asks Lalita Saikia, who lost her daughters Rupa (14) and Aruna (10) in the blast at the Dhemaji College playground.

In a corner of the two-bigha plot where the four surviving members of the Saikia family live is a memorial to the two girls. The family makes sure that earthen lamps and incense sticks are lit there every evening.

?Our daughters are still very much with us and will remain so forever,? Lalita says, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The nightmare continues not only for the Saikias, but every resident of this otherwise peaceful town. The administration is pulling out all stops to ensure that there is no untoward incident this time, but not many are keen to a participate in the Independence Day function.

Students of Arunudoi High School, who lost two schoolmates ? Juganta Padun and Dinesh Padun ? in the blast last year, look confused on being asked whether they want to be part of the celebrations. ?Moi jam, jodi deutai diye (I will go, but only if my father allows me to do so),? says Rupinath, a classmate of Juganta.

Pronob Kardung is in a dilemma, too. ?I will if my father permits?,? he says.

The Kachari Ground, which was the venue for Independence Day and Republic Day functions until waterlogging prompted the administration to choose another place, has been relaid for this year?s function.

?We have re-laid the field and we hope that the people will turn up in good numbers. We are doing everything possible,? said D.K. Baruah, deputy commissioner of Dhemaji, while monitoring the finishing touches given to the preparations.

Sentry posts have been built and register is maintained of each and every individual who enters the ground. Even the deputy commissioner is not spared and during the nights the entire ground is lit up with floodlights all around and backup generator sets.

Police, too, had been very much active for the past few weeks.

?We have been guarding this venue for almost six months now and around 20 policemen had been deployed for the purpose. We are very much on the offensive,? said superintendent of police, Mridulananda Sarmah.

However, some in the society feel that the police arrangement would only terrorise people more.

?Although the administration has its own way of working, this kind of an arrangement will only drive them away. The police should act in such a way that the common people are not harassed in the name of security,? said Saishav Dutta, a social worker.