KPLT calls off bandh in Karbi

Militant outfit Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT) today called off its indefinite bandh that began on Tuesday at Karbi Anglong district under Autonomous District (ST) constituency, paving the way for second phase of polling there tomorrow.
The outfit decided to call off the bandh and allow people to cast their votes as they wanted a representative from the constituency to raise their demand for a separate autonomous state in Parliament, KPLT general secretary Ranamlijang said in a statement.
KPLT had called a bandh on April 8, demanding a separate autonomous tribal state under Article 244(A) of the Constitution.
It also appealed to the people to cast their vote and elect a representative who would raise their demand of statehood in Parliament, Ranamlijang said.

Tight security has been imposed across the constituency, comprising the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, with 17 companies of security forces deployed and helicopter surveillance conducted since Wednesday to monitor movement of militants.
Autonomous District (ST) goes to polls tomorrow in the second phase along with the two constituencies of Barak Valley - Karimganj(SC), comprising the districts of Karimmganj and Hailakandi, and Silchar.