Bandh paralyses normal life in Assam (Pics)

Guwahati, Aug 21: The 12-hour Assam bandh called today by the Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association, to protest against yesterday's police firing in Golaghat in which three persons were killed, paralysed normal life across the state.

Activists of several organisations of students, tea tribes, transport and others along with the AGP came out on the roads across the state to protest against the police firing on groups protesting against the recent violence along the Assam-Nagaland border in which nine persons were killed.

There was no report of any bandh-related incidents so far from any part of the state though a strict vigil was being maintained by the security forces to prevent any untoward incident, a police spokesman said here. All shops, business houses and educational institutions remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin.

A view of deserted road during 12-hour Assam bandh

A view of deserted road during 12-hour Assam bandh in Guwahati on Thursday. The bandh was called in protest against police action which allegedly led to the killing of three people in Golaghat town along the border with Nagaland.

Army personnel carrying out a flag march

Army personnel carrying out a flag march during the curfew in Golaghat town on Thursday following violent clashes over Assam-Nagaland border conflict.

Members of various organizations protesting at the National Highway

Members of various organizations protesting at the National Highway 39 at Telgaram in Golaghat district on Thursday against the killing of Assamese people by suspected NSCN at Assam Nagaland border.

ABVP taking out a mock funeral procession

Activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) taking out a mock funeral procession of Congress government during the 12 hour Assam bandh in Guwahati on Thursday over killing of Assamese people in Assam-Nagaland border areas.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju with Assam Chief Minister

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Nagaland CM T R Zeliang during a meeting on Assam-Nagaland Border conflict in Guwahati on Thursday

Security personnel try to stop activist

Security personnel try to stop activist of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP during the 12 hour Assam bandh in Guwahati on Thursday over killing of Assamese people in Assam-Nagaland border areas.

Vehicular traffic remained off the road as several bus associations also decided to keep their vehicles off the road in protest.

Assam State Transport Corporation owned buses operated a skeletal service though long distance services remained suspended during the day. Rail and air services, however, remained unaffected. The AGP staged demonstrations in all the district headquarters to protest against the government's alleged failure to protect the lives and property of people living along the Assam-Nagaland border.

The state unit of the BJP has extended their support to the bandh and burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here after taking out a procession.

PTI