Guwahati: Life was hit across Assam on Thursday in view of separate statewide bandhs called against a purported remark against tribal women made allegedly by the editor-in-chief of a news channel and another strike demanding a separate Bodoland state.
A 12-hour statewide bandh called by Tai Ahom Students Union against a derogatory remark allegedly made by Atanu Bhuyan, the editor-in-chief of a local satellite channel ‘News Live’, brought life virtually to a standstill in the upper Assam region.
Business establishments and educational institutes remained closed, while vehicles also remained off the roads.
Bandh supporters burnt Bhuyan’s effigies in some parts of upper Assam.
A few picketers were picked up in Jorhat while forcibly trying to close some vegetable shops in the morning.
The bandh call has been supported by several tribal students and youth groups and women organisations.
Bhuyan is alleged to have made defamatory remarks against the Ahom community women on his social networking site Facebook account, though Bhuyan has claimed that the account was a fake one.
Meanwhile, a separate 24-hour statewide called by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Progressive (NDFB-P) demanding a Bodoland state affected life in Bodo dominated areas of western and northern Assam.
The impact of the bandh was complete in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts areas and its adjoining regions.
The NDFB (P), which is engaged in peace talks with the government, has also called for a 48-hour national highway blockade on August 1 in support of its demand. (UNI)
