Life hit by Assam bandh

Guwahati, June 9 (UNI) Assam observed a virtual shutdown today in response to 12-hour statewide bandh calls given by separate organisations on issues ranging from petrol price hike to demanding capital punishment for sacked Assam Minister Ripun Bora.

Official sources said security was tightened across the state and extra forces deployed at vital installations and sensitive pockets.

The state government had issued directions to district administrations to ensure normal functioning of offices and take action against those who failed to attend duty.

However, commuters had a tough time as public transport remained off the road in view of the 'chakka jam' called by the transport bodies against the petrol and diesel price rise.

Educational institutions, business and banking establishments and other private offices remained closed.

The capital city of Guwahati was also affected by the bandh with very few private vehicles venturing on the road.

No untoward incident has been reported so far, the sources said.

The main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and BJP had given separate bandh calls to protest the price hike of petrol, diesel and LPG.

On the other hand, the All Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA), in a separate bandh call, demanded death penalty for Mr Bora for his alleged involvement in the murder of ATTSA leader Daniel Topno in September 2000.

Mr Bora was arrested in New Delhi on June 3 while trying to offer bribe of Rs 10 lakh to a CBI sleuth investigating the case.

UNI SG DPM SB RN1448