72-hr Bandh Paralyses Normal Life in Upper Assam

Guwahati, May 31 : Normal life was paralyzed today in six districts of Upper Assam following a 72-hour bandh called by the All Tai Ahom Students' Union, officials said.

The bandh, which began at 5 am today, has been called in protest against inclusion of Ahom-dominated areas in tribal council areas of different communities like Deori, Thengal Kachari and Sonowal Kacharis, where council polls are scheduled on June six.

The affected districts are Jorhat, Sibsagar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Lakhimpur.
All educational institutions, financial services and private offices remained closed while attendance in government offices was thin.

Road traffic was disrupted due to blockades at different places on NH-37, though rail traffic was not affected as trains were running as per schedule.

Operations at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited were also affected as employees were unable to reach the plants in different places of upper Assam.