Normal life in Guwahati and many areas of Assam came to a standstill on October 23 as several organizations came together to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Since early morning, reports of closure came in from various parts of Assam.
Protestors tried to put up blockades on railway tracks and disrupt train services across Assam. Demonstrators also burnt tyres on roads in various parts of the state, including in several parts of Guwahati.
Police in Guwahati said that demonstrators who were trying to prevent train movement by squatting on tracks were being evicted. Many protestors were detained across the state.
As many as 46 organizations supported the 12-hour Assam bandh on October 23 opposing against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, which proposes to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from the neighbouring countries.
Speaking about the controversial citizenship bill, peasant’s body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) advisor Akhil Gogoi said that the state is in crisis. “We are in crisis. The future of the people of the state is in dark because of the conspiracy of the BJP-led governments at the centre and state under the influence of RSS. We can’t accept the passing of citizenship bill at any cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, police escorts are being provided to public transport vehicles in Guwahati to ensure smooth running of transport services.
In view of the bandh, the state government has already ordered all government departments to ensure that offices remain open and all employees report for duty.
