Guwahati-Silchar passenger train cancelled; Bandh observed everywhere in Barak Valley

Life has come to a standstill in Barak Valley, no vehicles plying on road, shops on the sides are shuttered down and now trains are no longer running on the tracks. This is due to the Bharat Bandh called by Indian National Congress as mark of protest against the rising petrol-diesel prices in India. The Bandh is supported by other parties in the opposition too. While roads were empty since morning itself, trains did commute in Barak Valley, but as per latest reports, cadres Congress’ students wing have hit the Railway tracks and is demonstrating ‘Rail Ruko’. Taking these protests into consideration the Railway administration decided to cancel Guwahati-Silchar fast passenger train. Apart from the Railway service, Government and private offices, banks, schools and colleges too are kept shut today.

The strike has affected life in Guwahati too, where offices, courts and other government and public service units are kept shut.

The administration too is in its toes. In Karimganj’s Mahakumar Kanai Bazaar, Police forced picketers off the road and brought life to normalcy. In Hailakandi, district supporters of the Bandh demonstrated by burning tyres in the middle of the main road. Security officials are escorting air passengers to Silchar. As per latest information, all the morning flights landed in Kumbhirgram airport on time.

Apart from one or two minor incidences, as per latest information the strike is observed peacefully. This is a 5AM to 5PM strike and if no organisation or unions hit the roads protesting the Bandh, it should be life as usual after 5 in the evening.