Assam Delimitation Row: Oppn’s Barak bandh call evokes mixed response; MLAs detained

The 12 hour bandh call over the delimitation issue in the Barak Valley districts of the state evoked mixed response.
Though in the morning, it appeared like the bandh call did not get much response, by afternoon, shops and markets were largely closed in Silchar town. As per inputs, police have reportedly detained around 100 picketers in Silchar town alone.

Security has been tightened across the Barak Valley amid the bandh call. Heavy deployment of police personnel is seen on the streets of Silchar amid calls by the district administration to boycott the bandh call.

Several organisations and the opposition parties including the Congress have given the bandh call in the three Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi as a mark of protest against the delimitation draft released by Election Commission of India (ECI) recently.

Congress workers protested denouncing the government’s delimitation move. Protests were witnessed in Silchar and parts of Hailakandi amid the bandh call.

AIUDF MLA from Katlicherra Suzamuddin Laskar, North Karimganj Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha who took to the streets along with their supporters were detained by the police.

MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha with his supporters reportedly pulled down the shutters of shops that had opened initially. The MLA was also seen preventing vehicles from plying on the road.

The police have been conducting marches to sensitize the people against such shutdown calls while assuring them full safety and security.