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Representative image. Image: Northeast Now

Normal life came to a grinding halt across Assam, including capital city of Guwahati on Tuesday morning even as the day-long shutdown by over 50 organizations evoked total response across Brahmaputra Valley.

The Gateway of the Northeast wore a deserted look even as all commercial establishments that usually starts their business quite early, kept their shutters down.

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Also read: Dispur goes all out to foil Tuesday’s Assam bandh

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Photo: Northeast Now

Educational institutions remained closed and vehicular traffic remained off the road.

Apart from the city buses run by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), no other public transport plied on the streets of Guwahati.

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The 12-hour bandh call is being given by around 46 organizations, spearheaded by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and supported by several others including the main opposition party, the Congress, in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Also read: HSDC extends support to 12-hour Assam bandh called by 46 groups

When this correspondent took to the streets of Guwahati, only a couple of private vehicles and two-wheelers were seen plying on the road.

Meanwhile, commuters are having a harrowing time in the absence of public transport with the ASTC buses plying with overloaded passengers.

Notably, the Assam Government on Monday has issued strict guidelines to government employees not to remain absent from work and all department heads have been instructed to ensure 100 per cent attendance on the day.

Bandh supporters at various places across Guwahati burnt tyres on the streets to enforce shutdown, which has become a sort of tradition during bandhs in the State.

Tyres were burnt at several places like Gorchuk, ISBT and other places  by the bandh supporters thereby disrupting traffic.

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Photo: Northeast Now

KMSS activists also burnt tyres at Sarusasai to enforce shutdown.

Also read: Akhil dares Sonowal government to thwart Assam bandh call tomorrow

Asom Jatiyabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) activists also took to the streets at Narengi in support of the bandh urging the locals to extend their cooperation.

Meanwhile, the radio cab services, Ola and Uber have also suspended their services for the day.

Heavy security arrangements could be witnessed at vulnerable points across the city to thwart any untoward incident.

On the other hand, Bashista Police apprehended three bandh supporters from Beltola area in the morning.