ULFA gives bandh call; paralyses Asom

Guwahati, Apr 4: Life was affected today following the dawn-to-dusk Asom bandh called by the banned ULFA protesting the 'atrocities' on striking wives of its 'missing' leaders.

No untoward incident has been reported from any part of the state so far.

All educational institutions, banking services and business establishments remained closed. Private vehicles remained off the road.

Attendance in government offices was thin despite government's order to its employees to attend office.

Yesterday,the government directed all commissioners of divisions, deputy commissioners and SDOs (Civil) to take necessary steps to ensure normal functioning of all government offices and services and to take action as per Government standing circular.

However, rail services and air transport were not affected. NF Railway and Borjhar LGB Airport sources said train and flights plied on time.

Security had been beefed up in the entire state in view of the bandh call, with special patrols and checking points in vital positions.

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

These 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