Asom govt issues directives against ULFA bandh tomorrow

Guwahati, Apr 3 (UNI) The Asom government today directed all its offices to functional normally in view of the statewide bandh called by the ULFA tomorrow, to protest the 'atrocities' on the fasting wives of 'missing' ULFA leaders.

The government, in a release, directed all commissioners of divisions, deputy commissioners and SDO (Civil) to take necessary steps to ensure normal functioning of all government offices and services and to take action as per Government circular during the bandh.

The United Libretaion Front of Asom (ULFA) had issued a statement yesterday, calling a 12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours on April 4 against the 'atrocities' perpetrated on the fasting wives of 'missing' ULFA leaders.

The wives of six ULFA leaders, whose whereabouts had not been known since they were picked by the Royal Bhutan Army during 'Operation All Clear' in December 2003, had been on an indefinite hunger strike since March 21, demanding the status of their husbands.

The fasting women were shifted to the hospital by the state government, on charges of attempting suicide.

The ULFA had given the bandh call to protest against the state government's 'inhuman treatment meted out to the women who had launched a democratic protest demanding information about their husbands'.

UNI