KSA press meet
KSA leaders during a press conference at Diphu on Monday. Image - Northeast Now

The general secretary of Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), Thomson Rongpi on Monday clarified that the students’ body has not called for any ‘indefinite bandh’.

Rongpi said this after the end of the 36-hour bandh of Karbi Anglong, sponsored by them.

Also read: Assam: Bandh called in Karbi Anglong protesting student leader’s arrest

In a press conference held here at the KSA office, KSA general secretary Rongpi said, “We called for the 36-hour bandh from 5 am on Sunday last to 5 pm on Monday evening for the release our president Simeon Rongphar. The indefinite bandh call is a rumour. There is school examination and Christmas is near at hand. Considering all these, the 16 organisations have decided not to call any bandh.”

Bandh Karbi Anglong
A view of the 36-hour bandh in Karbi Anglong. Image – Northeast Now
A view of the 36-hour bandh in Karbi Anglong. Image – Northeast Now

Criticising the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, the KSA leader said by arresting Rongphar, the CEM has showed his incapability and that he is “unfit for the post of CEM”.

“The CEM was not directly involved, but he asked his younger brother to file a case against Rongphar. We demand that Rongphar be released unconditionally. The arrest of our president does not mean that our movement will be weakened; our fight will go on,” said Rongpi.

On the last day of the 36-hour bandh, no untoward incident was reported from both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts. People, particularly students, enjoyed an extended holiday and Government offices witnessed thin attendance. There was more traffic on the road unlike Sunday although there was no public transport.

Nongee Terang is Northeast Now Correspondent in Diphu. He can be reached at: [email protected]