Guwahati, Jan 2 : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that militancy will be dealt with firmly for restoration of normalcy and development in the North East.

Talking to reporters after reviewing the security scenario of Assam at a Unified Command meeting held under the chairmanship of State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Dispur, he said, security forces have been asked to be more stern on the militants and no quarter will be given to them to escape.

"A broad guideline has been issued to the combined operational groups consisting of Army, Paramilitary and the State Police on curbing militancy," he added.

Condemning Thursday''s blasts in Guwahati in which five people were killed and over 50 injured, he expressed confidence that Assam police would arrest those guilty.

"A massive manhunt was launched for a person who was involved in yesterday''s blast," he added.

Chidambaram further said that the ULFA and the NDFB militants were using Bangladesh soil to carry out their activities in Assam and the North East.

On the statement of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina that Bangladesh would not allow its soil to be used for export of terror to neighbours, he said, "I hope it will be a new beginning and the terrorist forces having sanctuary in Bangladesh will be neutralised."

Earlier, he visited the Gawahati Medical College Hospital to meet the injured.

He spent about 30 minutes in the hospital and directed the doctors to give the best possible medical care to the injured.

The explosions occurred at Birubari, Bhootnath, Bhangagarh areas in Guwahati. The first bomb blast occurred in Guwahati''s Birubari area at 2.25 in the afternoon, the second in Bhootnath area at 5.15 p. m, and the third blast took place near Big Bazar outlet in Bhangarh area at 5.50 p. m.

On October 30, 2008, Assam witnessed serial blasts that left 88 people dead. (ANI)