Guwahati, Nov 2 : The overall situation remained tense in Assam on Sunday even though a massive hunt is on by the security forces to apprehend the culprits involved in Thursday''s serial blasts at 12 places killing over 70 people and leaving over 300 injured.

People are still scared to move out to crowded places in the blast-hit Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon, according to reports.

Markets and other business activities remained almost closed since the incidents took place on Thursday. 

New Delhi, Nov 1 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged a demonstration in New Delhi on Saturday protesting against the serial blasts that rocked Assam on October 30 leaving over 70 people dead.

The VHP activists blamed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for its failure to contain the militant attacks in the country.

Guwahati, Nov 1 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the victims of Assam blasts at a hospital in Guwahati on Saturday.

Dr. Singh and Sonia arrived in Guwahati this afternoon and drove straight to the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital to meet the injured in the serial blasts of October 30.

There was tight security around the hospital.

They will also visit Guwahati Medical College Hospital to know the well being of the injured admitted there.

Guwahati, Nov 1 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has today called for a 12-hour shutdown in Assam that was rocked by serial blasts on October 30, leaving over 70 people dead.

The VHP, which is protesting against the failure of the government to protect the people from the blasts in the state, is joined by the Bajrang Dal and Assam Chamber of Commerce.

Shops and businesses establishments remained closed and vehicles remained off the roads.

Guwahati, Nov 1 : The Centre has assured its full cooperation to the Assam Government on Saturday in finding and punishing the perpetrators of the serial blasts in the state.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited the blast sites at Kokrajhar and Barpeta District of the state, said both the Centre and the state government would ensure that such incidents do not recur.

He also visited Barpeta civil hospital to inquire about the well being of the injured in the blasts and spoke to senior police officials as well.