Shutdown in NC Hills after terror

Haflong, June 7 (UNI) Life came to a standstill in the insurgency affected NC Hills district of Asom today due to the 10-hour bandh called by the BJP and Autonomous State Demand Council (ASDC) against the serial killings of political leaders.

Business establishments, banks, educational institutions and government offices remained closed and the traffic off the roads.

However, no untoward incident had been reported from anywhere in the district so far.

Meanwhile, a ASDC member, who was untraced for the last four days, called up his family today stating that he was safe.

Police sources said Prafulla Phangsu told his family over telephone from an unknown destination that he was in the captivity of the militants, but was safe.

The Congress had also called a bandh in Umrangsu town yesterday.

Violence erupted on June 4 in protest against the killings by rebels of the DHD (Jewel Garlosa faction).

Three top Congress leaders of the North Cachar Hills District Autonomous Council (NCHADC), including its outgoing chief, were killed by suspected DHD militants on June 4.

All the slains were candidates for the ensuing council elections.

The militants had called NC Chief Executive Member Purendu Langthasa and EM Nindu Langthasa for ''discussion'' at Longei Basti near Umrangso police station and shot them.

The CEM was the eldest son of former state cabinet minister and senior Congress MLA G C Langthasa, whose second son was also killed by militants two years back.

The NCHADC election, due on June 12 was postponed after the Asom Cabinet yesterday recommended it to Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh.

UNI