Schools and offices are open but Barak Bandh is evident in three districts; Police detains picketers in Silchar, Hailakandi

The 12 hours of Barak Bandh called by the Barak Democratic Front didn’t have much impact in the urban centres of the three districts of the valley. Schools, colleges, banks and other such institutions are open as per the available information from the three districts. Picketers were missing in action and vehicles were plying on the road like it was just another day. Four picketers were detained by the police in Silchar and another from Hailakandi, as per the last available information.

Even though the Barak Bandh was supported by several organisations and political parties, early in the morning picketers were missing in actions from the streets. A handful of picketers when found supporting the bandh were detained by the police. In Silchar, BDF’s media cell convenor, Hrishikesh Dey and several other picketers of Bangali Nabanirman Sena were detained by the police while they were picketing in support of the strike in Central Raod, Silchar.

In Hailakandi, Raijor Dal leader Jahir Uddin Laskar was also detained by the police. Other picketers of Krishak Mukti Sangram were also detained by the Hailakandi Police this morning. Hailakandi saw the most impact of the strike this morning when compared to Cachar and Karimganj.

In Karimganj, the strike had the least impact. Schools remained open and there were no restrictions on the movement of vehicles. At several traffic points, there was even a traffic jam early in the morning. Marketplaces didn’t open today due to this bandh. In the rural areas of there is no impact of this strike and the shops are opened with regular movement of vehicles.