DIBRUGARH, May 5 � The bandh called by the unknown Muslim Students� Union in protest against the killing of some 34 people from the minority community in the Bodo Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD), areas affected normal life here.
The commercial activity in the city was hit as business establishments and some financial institutions remained closed.
A few educational institutions functioned normally but attendance was thin. Anti-socials caused nuisance in areas like Laluka and Paltan Bazar. Overall, the bandh was peaceful.
Silchar Correspondent adds: The 12-hour Cachar bandh called by various associations including AIUDF, Cachar Pratibadi Mancha, Bodoland Santrash Birodhi Mancha, All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students� Association (ACKHSA), Cachar Hindi Bhasi Chatra Parishad and others against the killing in BTAD areas witnessed sporadic instances of violence across many parts of Silchar on Monday.
The bandh began peacefully with businessmen, traders, vendors and employees responding positively to the bandh call. But as the day progressed, large number picketers rushed into many parts of the town and reportedly dictated the shop owners and medicine outlets to keep their shutters down which resulted into aggressive retaliation.
The locals of Rangirkhari said that around 70 pickets briskly arrived in an auto and bikes near the Life Line Hospital and coercively asked owners of some near-closed shops to shut the doors. �We had extended total support to the cause for which the bandh was called for. But such an instance of hooliganism was not expected when there was spontaneous response from everyone,� annoyed people said. Meanwhile, one motor-cycle was set ablaze and an auto-rickshaw was wrecked during the bustle.
In Tarapur, the picketers reportedly misbehaved with the owners of Joy Kali Stores and Bandana Library using force and uttered foul language. Kalyani Bhattacharjee of Bandana Library said that around 150 picketers came and asked her to shut one of the wooden bars of her shop. When she said that this is the sole exit for her shop-cum residence, the picketers used foul words and censured severely. She demanded strict action against those involved in the incident.
Dilu Das, general secretary Barak Valley non-governmental Health Workers� Association said that the on-duty medical staffs were harassed in Meherpur and Capital Point of the town. Das has strongly criticised the incidents.
Meanwhile, the suspended AIUDF MLA from Katigorah Ataur Rahman Majharbhuiya who was on a day-long hunger strike protesting the BTAD killings reached out to the people at Rangirkhari and Tarapur and apologised for the misbehaviour by the picketers. Local MLA Susmita Dev also accompanied Majharbhuiya along with DSA secretary Babul Hore and CRPC secretary general Sadhan Purakystha.
Hailakandi Correspondent adds: The 12-hour Hailakandi district bandh called jointly by the youth wing of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Bengali Youth and Students� Front passed off peacefully today.
It is the second consecutive bandh in Hailakandi in protest against the killings of innocent people in BTAD areas.
No untoward incident was reported from any part of the district. Vehicular traffic was off the road. All the government offices and educational institutions, banks were closed.
Later, the Hailakandi district committee of AIUDF submitted memorandum to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi demanding the imposition of President�s Rule in Assam, arrest of MLA Pramila Rani Brahma and BTC chief Hagrama Mahilary and dissolution of BTC. It was signed by the president of the district committee, Nurul Haque Mazumdar.
North Lakhimpur Correspondent adds: The 12-hour Assam bandh called by AAMSU evoked total response in Lakhimpur district.
The bandh hit normal life as all shops and business houses remain closed during the day today. All banks and other financial intuitions also remain closed in Lakhimpur district. Vehicular traffic was mostly off the road and all long distance bus service remained suspended during the bandh. However, government offices and educational institutions remained open and function normally in the district headquarters.
The Lakhimpur district unit of All India United Democratic Front staged a sit-in-strike in protest against the BTAD killings in front of the Deputy Commissioner�s office here. The party later submitted a memorandum to the State Government.
Tinsukia Correspondent adds: The 12-hour bandh affected normal life in Tinsukia district. All business establishment and shops remained closed.
However, production works at tea estates, oil and coal sectors were functioning normally. Attendances in government offices were thin. No reports of any untoward incident were reported till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, members of several organisations namely, Tinsukia units of Sodou Asom Banglabhasi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Hindu Chatra Santha, Hindu Yuba Chatra Parishad, Traders� Association, All Assam Mottock Students� Union, All Tai Ahom Students� Union staged a sit in-dharna programme at the District Library compound here from 11 am in protest against the killings and violence in BTAD areas. The protesters demanded that Government should immediately arrange to provide full security to the people of BTAD areas.
Golakganj Correspondent adds: The 12-hour bandh passed off peacefully in Dhubri district. All educational, financial institutions and business establishments remained closed for the day.
Meanwhile, in protest against the killings in BTAD areas, the AIUDF, Dhubri district committee today took out a silent procession and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, Dhubri.
Around 600 activists of AIUDF took out the procession from Dhubri Railway Station carrying placards in their hand. The memorandum demanded to seize all licensed and illegal arms in BTAD areas by the Army and para military forces, to pay adequate compensation to the kith and kin of the deceased and injured persons.
Further, the Yuva Morcha of Dhubri district AIUDF staged a demonstration in front of the DC office here against the brutal killings in BTAD areas from 11 am to 1 pm. They also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the DC, Dhubri. Aminur Ahmed, district president, AIUDF, Masud Akhtar Jaman, AIUDF district media in-charge, Mahmudul Islam, district president, AIUDF Yuva Morcha and many other members participated in the dharna programme. The Aam Aadmi Party workers of Dhubri also staged a dharna in front of the DC office, from 10 am to 12 pm. The AAP workers also submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Assam Governor and the Chief Minister through the DC, Dhubri.
