The 12-hours Assam bandh called by All Adivasi Students Association of
Assam (AASAA) beginning from 5 am demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST)
status to the Adivasis evoked mixed response in Kokrajhar on Friday.
During the bandh period the main market and Mandang bazaar remained
open as usual. All financial institutions like bank, shop,some
government offices remained closed and road communications were
however also affected with public transport remaining off the road.
Despite repeated claims by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other BJP ministers that the long-standing inter-state border dispute with Nagaland has been resolved, fresh tensions have erupted along the border, particularly in the Merapani Seed Farm area under Golaghat district. Local Assamese residents continue to live in fear, alleging that the state government, administration, and police remain silent and inactive.
The epicenter of the recent unrest is the Merapani Seed Farm, a 1300-acre tract of land well within Assam’s geographical territory. On 10 April, thousands of Assamese citizens rallied at Merapani, staging an intense protest demanding protection of Assamese land...
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