Normal life in central Assam's Dima Hasao district was hit on Wednesday in a 24-hour shutdown by various student organisations demanding autonomous state status, official sources said.
The shutdown from 5 am was called to press for autonomous state under Article 244 (A) and withdrawal of Clause 8 of BLT Accord that grants ST (Hill) status to Bodos living in Assam's two hill districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong.
The shutdown has been called by Dimasa Students' Union, Kuki Students' Organisation, Hmar Students Association and Karbi Students' Association among others.
The bandh is in response to a 48-hour bandh called by various organisations on December 12 and 13 in the two hill districts.
Markets, shops, banks, business establishments, some offices, educational institutions remained closed in headquarters Haflong town and other parts of the district like Maibang, Mahur, Diyungmukh, Umrangso, the sources said.
Public transport and private vehicles kept off the roads, they said.
Train services in the district were, however, not affected by the shutdown, the sources said.