1000 Hours District-Wide Bandh in Assam

NEW DELHI: A 1,000 hour district-wide bandh has been called by the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) beginning from 5 am on October 27. The proposed strike, which would conclude only on December 7, 9 p.m has been called along the whole of Karbi Anglong district, one of the largest administrative districts of Assam.

Announcing the bandh, Kharsing Teron, Chairman of JACAS informed that this bandh has been called in order to press forward their two principal demands. First, resumption of talks with the Central Government on the issue of creating an autonomous state encompassing the two Sixth Schedule hill districts of Assam and second, the introduction of a Bill in the Parliament for creation of the autonomous state in the winter session within the ambit of Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution.

Stating the purpose of the bandh and proclaiming their demands, he said “Till date even the schedule of the talk has not been intimated to us”.

Further, lamenting that “we (the hill people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao) too deserve attention of the Central Government.”, Teron said that it seems that the issues concerning the hill people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are not ofe of much importance to the Central leadership, as compared to the other issues faced by the nation.

Alongside,the Committee has urged all students, youth, socio-cultural organisations and political parties to cooperate with them in order to make the strike peaceful and successful.

JACAS has issued instruction to all its branch offices to exercise utmost restraint while enforcing the bandh and to remain vigilant against antisocial elements.

Also, the JACAS has further appealed to the people and the governments of the neighbouring states- Nagaland and Manipur to bear with them during the strike.

In the meanwhile, BJP Karbi Anglong District Committee has appealed to the JACAS to call off its proposed 1000 hours Karbi Anglong bandh urging them to review their decision on the same.

Issuing a press statement, BJP media cell convenor Samson Terang requested the organisation to understand the “obligation of the situation” and rather discuss the issue with BJP Karbi Anglong Unit for the greater interest of the people of the district.

Further, denouncing the statement published in a section of print media which stated that BJP has not acted as promised on the issue of statehood demand of JACAS, BJP stated that the statement is merely a ploy of certain group to malign the image of the party.