Near complete response to 12-hour Assam bandh on migrants issue

GUWAHATI: The 12-hour Assam Bandh called by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) to protest against the Centre's decision to allow staying of non-Muslim migrants in the country evoked a near complete response today.

Most of the business establishments, markets, educational institutes, financial installations and offices remained closed, while roads across the state wore a deserted look.

The bandh, called between 5 am and 5 pm, was more successful being the second Saturday of the month, due to which all government offices and banks were closed.

Roads across the state were deserted as almost all commercial vehicles, including busses, tempos, autos and trucks, were not plying.

However, the state transport vehicles were seen plying with a few passengers.

In Guwahati and across many places in the state, agitators burnt tyres on the roads in the morning and appealed people to make the bandh successful.

A senior police official said a number of protesters had been picked up from different places across the state.

"No untoward incident has been reported so far. The protesters were arrested as they were trying to block the traffic at different places," the official said.

AJYCP has called the bandh to protest against the Centre's decision to allow non-Muslim persons coming to India due to religious compulsions to have a visa-free stay here.

Flood relief activities and essential services were, however, exempted from the strike.

An AJYCP protester said that Assam could not take the burden of additional migrants and the decision is "an insult to the Assam movement, Assam Accord and also to the people of Assam".

The bandh was also supported by the All Bodo Students' Union, All Assam Muttock Yubak Chhatra Sanmilan, All Dimasa Students' Union, Karbi Students' Union, Goria Moria Deshi Jatiya Parishad, Sonowal Kachari Students' Union, All Assam Muttock Sanmilan, All Assam Madahi Students' Union, All Assam Manipuri Students' Union, Chutia Yuba Sanmilan, Moran Students' Union and Asom Gana Parishad.