Violence erupts as bandh against civic polls begins

A bridge was burnt and three vehicles were set on fire on Wednesday as a three-day shutdown against the October 29 municipal polls was called by the Joint Action Committee in the three districts of Garo hills.

A bridge was burnt and three vehicles were set on fire on Wednesday as a three-day shutdown against the October 29 municipal polls was called by the Joint Action Committee in the three districts of Garo hills.

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A PWD timber bridge was burnt at Rangmal Badeng, near the entry point to Williamnagar, the district headquarter town of East Garo Hills district.

"Fire tenders doused the fire before it could destroy the entire bridge," deputy commissioner Pravib Bakshi said.

Three trucks coming from Assam were also damaged when the trouble-makers tried to torch them at Bajendoba.

Bakshi said two cases were registered against the Joint Action Committee, which has called the shutdown, for the incidents.

No untoward incidents were reported from West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills even as business units were closed and traffic was thin on the highways. There was over 50 per cent attendance in government offices as the authorities arranged for transportation, officials said.

The JAC fears that the elections will 'violate the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and lead to erosion of powers of traditional bodies like the Council of Nokma (village council)'.