Udalguri during bandh
Tangla town wears a deserted look during the bandh period on Friday. Image - Northeast Now

The 48-hour State-wide bandh jointly called by the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU), Oboro Suraksha Samiti and Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani brought normal life to a standstill across the Udalguri district on Monday.

The organisations called for the bandh opposing reported move to upgrade the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) into a Union Territorial Council.

The bandh affected the business establishment, government, private offices, markets and shops which downed their shutters.

Also read: No promise for Union Territory in Assam’s Bodo areas, says interlocutor Mathur

The major townships of the district including Tangla, Kalaigaon, Dimakuchi, Mazbat, Khoirabari, Rowta, Harisinga, Panery, Udalguri evoked complete response.

The commercial and private vehicles remained off the roads throughout the day.

Bandh supporters protested by burning tyres at Kalaigaon where they also pelted stones and damaged commercial vehicles.

Paramilitary and police forces were seen patrolling the townships of the district to prevent any untoward incidents by bandh supporters.

Talking to media persons, AKRSU’s Udalguri (west)chapter president Hemanta Bora Koch said, “We will never accept any Union Territorial Council in BTAD which is a part of historic Kamatapur state.”

He further stated: “If needed, we are ready to give blood but not land.”

Shajid Khan is Northeast Now Correspondent in Udalguri. He can be reached at: [email protected]