The Republic Day flag hoisting ceremony in Assam's Sonari town Thursday was marred by the discovery of a bomb near the venue. It was diffused.

The incident happened in Upper Assam's Sivsagar district. "The bomb was diffused by experts from a nearby army camp," a police officer told IANS.

The discovery created panic for some time. Militant groups, including the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), had called for a boycott of Republic Day celebrations.