The 24-hour statewide bandh called by the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Koch-Rajbongshis and separate Kamatapur State brought normal life to a standstill in various parts of Udalguri district and Kokrajhar on Monday.
In Udalguri, the bandh paralysed normal life with business establishments, Government, private offices, markets and shops remaining closed.
The major townships of Udalguri district including Kalaigaon, Tangla, Mazbat, Khoirabari, Rowta, Harisinga Mazbat evoked full response towards the bandh.
The commercial and private vehicles were off the road throughout the day.
Paramilitary and police forces were seen patrolling the sensitive zones of the district to prevent any untoward incidents by bandh supporters.
In Kokrajhar, the 24-hour Assam bandh called by the
AKRSU in support of their demand for a separate Kamtapur State and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the community, evoked mixed response.
The bandh was total in the Koch-Rajbongshi-dominated areas but the strike, which began at 5 am, had little impact in other areas.
Traffic was thin on the National Highway 31 with long-distance buses and other public transport vehicles staying off the roads.
The bandh supporters staged protests by burning tyres in many areas.
Besides, Scheduled Tribe status for Koch Rajbonghsis, the students’ union has been demanding creation of a separate Kamtapur State by bifurcating six districts from north Bengal and 15 districts of Assam.
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