NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Feb 9 - A 12-hour bandh called by the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad, Asom (TAYPA) against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Assam evoked strong response in Lakhimpur district today. TAYPA had also called the bandh in protest of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 and demanding ST status to 6 ethnic groups of the State.
The bandh saw a total shut-down of shops and business outlets along with the suspension of all modes of public transport services in the district. In the morning hours, supporters of TAYPA confronted transporters who were on the roads with their three wheelers in North Lakhimpur. An e-rickshaw was damaged by the bandh supporters near the daily bazaar area of the town. The bandh, which was also supported by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), completely paralysed the entire district as it was a second Saturday on which all State government offices and banks as well as other financial institutions remained closed. The bandh also had a strong impact in Narayanpur where supporters burnt tyres on NH-15 in the morning affecting road communication to North Lakhimpur, Bihpuria, Dhalpur, Shimaluguri and other places. The bandh also paralysed normal life in Dhakuakhana subdivision where a total shutdown was observed at Dhakuakhana town, Ghilamaora, Gogamukh and Bogeenadi.
It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down at Lilabari airport this morning from Guwahati en-route to Itanagar. The Prime Minister was received by high ranking officials from the Lakhimpur district and police.
Along with the bandh, the All Assam Students� Union intensified its continuous protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill-2016 in Lakhimpur district today. The North Lakhimpur unit of the AASU staged a strong protest waving black flags while taking out a protest march in North Lakhimpur today. The NL-AASU gathered at Lakhimpur Girls� HS School Chariali and shouted slogans demanding the immediate scrapping of the bill. They shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The demonstration was led by AASU�s North Lakhimpur unit president Pranjit Gogoi and secretary Punam Jyoti Burhagohain along with Lakhimpur district AASU president Pulok Jyoti Borah, secretary Dhanmoni Dutta and financial secretary of the AASU�s central executive Krishna Das.
