Bandh affects normal life in Assam

Markets, shops, educational institutions, banks and private offices remained closed across the state, while long distance private buses and other vehicles kept off the roads, official sources said.

Government-run buses were seen on the city roads but privately operated city buses did not ply.

Picketers, led by former CPM MLA Ananta Deka, blocked the railway tracks at Rangia in lower Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district delaying the Delhi-bound North East Express and Brahmaputra Mail, they said.

After the tracks were cleared with the arrest of over 50 protesters, the two down trains controlled at Baihata and Guwahati respectively left for their destinations.

Other trains and flights, however, operated normally, the sources said, adding there was no report of any untoward incident.

In Guwahati, BJP national vice president Bijoya Chakraborty along with her party supporters was out on the main roads requesting the people to ensure success of the bandh.

Security personnel were deployed on the city streets, highways, at vital installations and vulnerable areas across the state. (More)