Normal life affected by bandh called to protest against

Normal life came to a standstill here on Tuesday following a 12-hour Silchar bandh called by several organisations to protest against the death of a journalist in a road accident in Assam's Cachar district.

All shops, business establishments, educational institutions and private offices remained closed while vehicular traffic remained off the roads.

No untoward incident was reported during the bandh which began at 5 am, police said.

Journalist Malin Sharma (43) was killed on the spot by a speeding truck on Sunday night at Tarapur area of Silchar while he was returning home after duty.

Sharma, a cameraman cum journalist of a local television channel Barak Television Network, is survived by his wife and a daughter.

The bandh was called demanding arrest of the truck driver who is absconding.

Besides media organisations and associations, the bandh has been supported by the Congress, the CPI(M), the SUCI, the Barak Valley Commercial Transport Owner Coordination Committee, the Amara Bangali, the Lions Club, the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors Forum and several other organisations and NGOs.