Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The five simultaneous bandhs called by different groups demanding separate states for their respective communities crippled life in several districts of Assam,severely affecting rail and road traffic on Monday.
In the four Bodo-dominated districts of Kokrajhar,Udalguri,Baska,Chirang,the 60-hour bandh called by All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) from 5 am today brought life to a standstill. Movement of trucks carrying essential items to Northeast region was particularly affected as Kokrajhar district is the entry point for the traffic to the region. Train services were also severely affected as ABSU supporters blocked rail tracks stations.
In Dhubri,Bongaigaon,Barpeta,Goalpara and Darrang districts,the 36-hour bandh called by All Koch-Rajbangshi Students Union demanding the separate state of Kamatapur state also disrupted normal life. Members of the outfit clashed with police and businessmen as they tried to enforce the bandh.
In the hill district of Karbi Anglong,where curfew was imposed last Tuesday following violence over the demand for separate Karbi state,a faction of Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers had called a 12-day bandh beginning today. Official sources,however,said the bandhs impact was not seen.
In Dima Hasao,the other hill district of Assam,normal life was also affected following the 100-hour bandh called by a group of five outfits led by Hill State Democratic Party (HSDP).
A 1,500-hour bandh called by an outfit called United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) in the state,however,failed to make an impact on the first day.
