Gauhati HC issues notice over Assam Bandh

The Gauhati High Court has issued a notice, on Tuesday, to three organisations over a call for bandh in three hill districts of Assam after a PIL sought compensation for the loss and damage it caused.

The Karbi Students Association, the Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong and the Autonomous State Demand Committee called the 24-hour bandh in Karbi-Anglong, Dima Haso and West Karbi Anglong districts from 5 am on Tuesday and it passed off peacefully.

RTI activist Jitul Deka filed the PIL in the high court seeking compensation and penal action for loss and damage caused due to the shutdown in the three districts.

The petitioner cited purported losses and damages caused by bandhs in the past and submitted that the three bodies should deposit Rs 5 crore each with the state government and the amount be utilised to provide facilities, and services to the people of the three districts.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Manojit Bhuyan issued notices to the three organisations.

The bandh was called to press for the demand that the Centre invite its sponsors for a tripartite talk on creation of a hill state carved out of Assam.

Describing bandhs as infringement on the fundamental rights of citizens, the petitioner also urged that bandhs be declared unconstitutional.

The bench directed that the matter would be heard again after five weeks.