Asom bandh ends peacefully

Guwahati, Jul 14 (UNI) The People's Committee for Peace Initiative- sponsored 12-hour "Asom bandh" to protest the killing of four top ULFA leaders ended peacefully today.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh was largely peaceful with isolated incidents of stone pelting and burning of tyres reported, police said.

The impact of the bandh was total with all vehicular traffic suspended and shops, Banks and other business establishments keeping their shutters closed.

Presence in government offices was also negligible.

Sources said a few incidents of pelting stones on passing vehicles and burning of tyres on the roads were reported. However, no incident was reported during the bandh.

The killing of the ULFA leaders had shocked all as the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG) and the Centre had decided on principle to exercise restraint to facilitate direct talks with the proscribed outfit.

The hardcore faction of the PCG had already been mounting pressure for breaking off ties with the government and the former had charged the Army and Asom Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh of trying to disturb the peace process.

Four top ULFA leaders were killed and three others arrested during a joint operation, carried out by the Army's Naga Regiment, Meghalaya Police and Assam Police at Tinfa village under Mendipathar police station in East Garo Hills on Sunday night.

Police identified the slain miltants as 'corporal' of the ULFA's 109 battalion Rubul Ali, '2nd lt' Prabal Dutta, 'lt' Rudra Baruah and Dulu Kalita. The arrested cadres were Hitesh Kalita, Chandan Kalita and Bubul Ali.

A huge cache of arms, including an AK 81 rifle, four European grenades and Rs 40,000 in cash, were recovered from them.

UNI MT-SG SJC/SRC1819