Frequent bandhs in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam have been causing major economic loss to the region. Recently, a 1,000 hour-long bandh to demand the creation of a separate autonomous state within Assam has been called, but the security forces are taking measures to ensure proper vehicular movement on highways passing through the district.
The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) had called for a 1,000 hour long bandh in Assam's Karbi Anglong district from October 27.
Few incidents of road blockades on NH2, violence and halting of trucks loaded with goods have been reported.
However, the security forces are providing escorts to the stranded vehicles to prevent any untoward incident and maintain free flow of traffic.
The bandh, expected to continue till December 7, has been called in order to press for resumption of talks with Centre on the issue of creating an autonomous state out of Assam.
"We will have a lot of problem as we won't get anything to eat or drink. We do not know the reason that the bandh has been imposed. We are scared to go ahead also. So we request the government to look into the matter and we really want their help," said a driver.
Limited supply of essential commodities in Manipur has resulted in long queues outside the ration stores and petrol pumps.
The residents have condemned the frequent bandhs and blockades by Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State and requested them to find an amicable solution through dialogue.
"It's not good because the lifeline has been cut. We are facing lots of problems. Even they (Karbi) suffer and we also suffer. We all are facing difficulty together so it's not good for common people," said a local resident Keisham Rishikesh.
"It is very unfortunate as we go to office everyday if there is no petrol then it's a big problem for us. Even today I'm late for work," added another local resident L Ibemhal Devi.
Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed by the Centre on the highways to avoid any untoward incident during the bandh.
Frequent bandhs and violence in the hill district of Assam causes much inconvenience to the people, besides hampering the economy of the region.
