Day after blasts in Assam, bandh paralyses life in Nalbari

Normal life was crippled in lower Assam's Nalbari district today in response to a 12-hour bandh protesting the ULFA-triggered serial blasts in the district which claimed seven lives and injured 54 others.
     
Private and public transport remained off the road across the district as the bandh, called by the district unit of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), began at six am, official sources said.
 
Markets, shops downed shutters and offices, educational institutions, banks did not function.
 
While vehicular traffic did not even ply along the National Highway 31, train movement remained unaffected.
       
State Revenue minister and local MLA Dr Bhumidhar Barman visited the victims in the Sahid Mukunda Kakati Civil Hospital here last night and announced ex-gratia grant of Rs three lakh each to the next of kin of those having perished in the blast and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured.
     
Deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotry also yesterday announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 50,000 each to the next of kin and Rs 10,000 for each of the injured.

Opposition leader and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Chandra Mohan Patowary also visited the victims' families and enquired about the injured in hospital.

The district unit of Asam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) observed the day as  `black day' and its members wore black badges.