Rahul Gandhi begins Assam visit amidst bandh

Sporadic incidents of violence were today reported during a 12-hour Guwahati bandh called to protest the death of a farmer activist, with those enforcing the bandh trying to prevent Congress supporters from reaching the venue of Rahul Gandhi's rally here.
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) supporters put up road blockades and pelted stones at vehicles carrying Congress supporters to Assam Veterinary College grounds at Khanapara here where Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally later in the day, officials said.
The bandh supporters also set ablaze a truck at Jorabat and burnt tyres on major thoroughfares.
The bandh has been called in protest against the death of KMSS supporter Pranab Boro, who died after setting himself ablaze in front of the state secretariat yesterday demanding land deeds for people living on the hills.

The Congress vice president arrived at the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport where he was received by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhubaneswar Kalita and other senior party leaders.
He went by a helicopter to Diphu in the hill district of Karbi Anglong where he is scheduled to interact with representatives of the Autonomous Council.
Meanwhile, a 48-hour Assam Bandh called by the Adivasi National Convention, a joint forum of 26 Adivasi groups, protesting against alleged exploitation of the adivasis by the Congress, has also affected normal life in several parts of the states.
Protests by Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad and a faction of the All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union have also been reported from upper and lower Assam against yesterday's incident and alleged neglect towards the indigenous people of the state by the Congress.