Pulwama attack: Silent march in Silchar; traders' strike evokes good response

Different organisations took out a silent march in Silchar on Monday in protest against the recent terror attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.

More than 40 soldiers were killed and several others injured when an explosive-laden car rammed into a CRPF bus – part of a convoy – in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday afternoon.

The bus which was carrying 51 CRPF jawans and was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar, was hit by a Mahindra Scorpio, which was loaded with over 300 kilograms of explosives and driven by a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber. As a result, over 40 personnel died and many others were injured.

The rally, which started from Fatak Bazar around 11pm, visited different areas including Premtala, Narsingtala, Shillongpatty and Jail Road, and finally assembled in front of Cachar deputy commissioner’s office around 12:45pm. Thereafter, the organisations’ members submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (through Cachar deputy commissioner Laya Madduri) demanding stringent action against those involved in the Pulwama attack.

Silchar MLA and former deputy speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Dilip Kumar Paul said the entire nation is deeply mourning the demise of the jawans killed in Jammu and Kashmir. “We want the Prime Minister to know that all the countrymen stand united with the country. We want Pakistan’s destruction,” he said, adding that they would even sacrifice their lives for the country, if needed.

“Apart from the enemies from Pakistan, some other enemies are also there in which live in this country but support the terrorists. They are more dangerous than the enemies from outside. They should be shot dead,” he said.
Silchar MP Sushmita Dev said they are with the government in this fight against terrorism and that stern action is the need of the hour to exterminate terrorism. “We are with the government,” she said.

Meanwhile, the strike called by various trade organisations today evoked a positive response in Silchar with business establishments in all the major areas of the town remaining closed from morning to evening. The organisations which called the strike include Silchar Food Grains Merchant Association, Cachar District Distributor Association, Silchar Business Association Co-Ordination Committee, Fatak Bazar Merchant Association, New Market Merchant Association, Wholesale Fish Merchant Association and Stationary and Retailer Association.