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Mixed response to Assam bandh call

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 31 � The daylong Assam bandh, called by the northeastern unit of the Bajrang Dal demanding a ban on the AIUDF and arrest of its chief Badruddin Ajmal for his alleged jehadi links, evoked mixed response in the State.

In Guwahati city, most of the shops and business establishments downed their shutters and public transport was off the road. But private vehicles plied in good numbers. Moreover, attendance in government offices was said to be normal and most schools and colleges also functioned.

At places, bandh-supporters blocked roads by burning tyres. A city bus was reportedly damaged by miscreants at Fancy Bazar area.

A statement from the Kamrup (Metro) district administration said that all the government offices and educational institutions were open despite the bandh call.

�Normal attendance was noticed in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) which observed Rastriya Sankalp Divas and Rastriya Ekta Divas in the presence of the DC, M Angamuthu, at 10 am. Normal work at Sarusajai Stadium, where the Gyanjyoti programme is being organized from today for three days, also continued without any hindrance,� it said.

Angamuthu appreciated all the employees and academic fraternity for not responding to the bandh.

PTI adds: Around 70 Bajrang Dal supporters were arrested from all over the State for allegedly trying to damage property during the bandh, police officers said.

Guwahati Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Prakash Tiwari told PTI that 18 Bajrang Dal supporters were arrested from the city for trying to forcefully implement the bandh.

He said bandh supporters tried to obstruct traffic at many places by burning tyres but police cleared them immediately and picked up the activists.

The BJP State unit has also extended its support to the bandh.

Meanwhile, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal has denied the media report on the alleged link and termed it as �false, baseless and politically motivated�.

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