Bandh over LBA evokes mixed response

Guwahati: The 10-hour Assam Bandh called by the Asom Gana Parishad to protest against the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh evoked mixed response in the state on Thursday.
The bandh, which began at 6 AM, failed to evoke much response in most of the districts though protestors were seen taking out processions in Nagaon, Golaghat, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, and Tinsukia districts, police officials said. Most school, colleges and educational institutions, offices — both government and private — along with banks and financial institutions remained open.
Vehicular traffic was comparatively thin though long distance buses, trains and flights operated as per schedule.
Shops and business establishments remained closed in some towns of both Upper and Lower Assam. The bandh had little impact in the three districts of Karimganj, Cachar and Hailakandi in Barak Valley.
AGP activists staged protests in front of the party headquarters at Ambari in the state capital and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assm Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. AGP General Secretary Durga Das Boro said that the party would continue to protest agaisnt the Land swap deal with Bangladesh as it was “against the interests of Assam.”
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) was also opposed to the land deal and said in a statement that both BJP and UPA were interested in giving away Assam’s land to Bangladesh. The All India United Democratic Front, with three MPs in the Lok Sabha, was also opposed to the deal. (PTI)