State shuts down on ULFA's 'Raising Day'

Guwahati, Apr 7: Assam observed a near-total closure today on ULFA's 'Raising Day', with confusion contributing to a mostly unsponsored bandh rather than any real threat.

The proscribed outfit, on the other hand, resorted to hoisting of flags in almost all the districts of the state to mark the occasion rather than violent strikes.

The outfit's flags were hoisted at several places in Golaghat, Sivsagar, Barpeta, Nalbari, Bongaigaon and Chirag districts, while similar flags were reported to have been seized in Udalguri and Tinsukia districts.

The flags were hoisted mostly in educational institutions' and public fields by unidentified people. On the other hand, a major tragedy was averted when a bicycle bomb was recovered from Namrup railway station early this morning, planted targeting the Kamrup Express.

Meanwhile, a bandh call was given appealing for peace by a youth group, Youth Welfare Organisation, which has no notable organisational base, and it was not expected to make any impact.

However, the choice of the date that coincided with the outlawed ULFA's 'Raising Day' ensured that the state witnessed complete closure.

Roads were deserted, vehicles stayed off the roads and educational institutions and business establishments remained mostly closed.

No violence was reported from any part of the state till now.

UNI