The United Garo Autonomous Council Movement Committee (UGACMC) has withdrawn its call for a 48-hour Assam bandh that began from Tuesday morning.
UGACMC, an umbrella organisation of several groups of Garo people living in Assam, called for the Assam bandh demanding the creation of a separate autonomous council for the Garos living in Assam.
“We have withdrawn the bandh call after the Goalpara superintendent of police, Susanta Biswa Sarma, assured us to arrange a talk with the government,” said Alex K. Sangma, chairman of UGACMC.
“However, we will continue our agitation if the talk fails,” added Sangma.
Also read: 48-hour Assam bandh from Tuesday demanding separate autonomous council for Garos
Talking to Northeast Now, Goalpara district police chief Susanta Biswa Sarma said, “Bandh culture doesn’t help any community. Moreover, Goalpara is a peaceful district. So, I requested the Garo leaders to refrain from agitation and to withdraw the bandh.”
“I have assured them that I would inform the government about their demands and the need for a talk,” Sarma added.
There were reports of pelting stones at the commercial vehicles plying along the Assam-Meghalaya border by the bandh supporters.
“Glass of a goods-carrying truck was broken as attacked by miscreants at Nokhmakhundi. Another incident of stone-pelting took place at Paikan, however, no damage was reported,” said sources.