GUWAHATI, June 15? The dawn to dusk Assam bandh called by the Bhumi Adhikar Ganamancha: Assam (BAGA) today in protest against the eviction drives conducted by the Forest Department to clear State?s forest areas of eviction, passed off somehow peacefully without any report of major untoward incident from any place. However, the bandh had affected normal life partially. In the city, today being a Saturday, Central Government offices remained closed, while attendance in other offices including the State Government offices was thin. The long distance buses connecting the suburban area with the city and most of the city buses were off the roads. Most of the shops and business establishments also remained closed during the bandh.
However, some private vehicles were seen on the roads along with the limited numbers of State Transport Corporation city buses. Some bandh supporters pelted stones at a private city bus near Bora Service this morning. Meanwhile, the BAGA in a statement here today, demanded a permanent halt to the eviction operations and rehabilitation to those who have been evicted so far. Or else, it warned the State Government of continuation of its agitation. It also condemned the arrest of 20 women picketers by the police at Amingaon during the bandh period.
The Guwahati City Committee of the Asom Gana Parishad also demanded, in a press release here this evening, a permanent halt to the eviction operations and rehabilitation of the evicted people. The AGP committee has also announced a 13-hour fast programme by its members at the Judges? Field from 7 am of June 17 in protest against the eviction operations, besides a decision to send a team to New Delhi on June 24, for the purpose of moving the Supreme Court on the issue and also to take up the issue with the Union Environment and Forest Minister.
Our Barpeta Correspondent reports: The bandh affected normal life at Barpeta only partially. Regular activities in the Government offices and educational institutions went on in the normal way during the bandh. Shops and business establishments were also open as usual. Only the buses plying between Barpeta and other destinations were off the roads.
Our Tinsukia Correspondent reports: The bandh affected normal life at Tinsukia. Shops, business establishments and financial institutions remained closed during the bandh and vehicular traffic were off the roads. Attendance in Government offices was very thin.