Normal life hit in central Assam by bandh over AIIMS

Morigaon (Assam), Jul 19: Normal life in Central Assam was today affected by a 12-hour bandh called by several organisations to press their demands for setting up AIIMS at Raha and a judicial inquiry into the death of a person in clashes between police and protesters there three days back.

Shops and business establishments, educational institutions, banks and private offices remained closed in Morigaon district and parts of Nagaon and Kamrup (East) districts in response to the bandh from 5 AM called by the All Tiwa Students Union (ATSU) and three other organisations in support of their demands.

National Highway-37 was blocked by protesters at several places, while vehicles remained off the roads in the affected areas, officials said.

Morigaon Superintendent of Police Nilesh Savarkare told PTI that paramilitary forces were deployed in vulnerable places like Jagiroad, Dharamtul and Ahotguri to maintain law and order.

Security was tightened at Jagiroad for the smooth movement of trains, the SP added. On July 16, one person identified as Mintu Deori was killed during a protest while 20 others, including two Additional SPs, were injured in clashes between police and protesters demanding shifting of proposed AIIMS in Assam from Changsari to Raha.

PTI