Kailashahar, Sept 11: The Congress party’s 12-hour strike in Kailashahar on Thursday over an 11-point charter of demands brought the entire subdivision to a standstill, with a tense atmosphere prevailing from early morning.
Authorities deployed massive security, including TSR and paramilitary forces, to prevent untoward incidents. District Superintendent of Police Sudhambika R, along with senior police officials, monitored the situation closely. Apart from a few minor incidents, the strike remained largely peaceful until afternoon. Several Congress workers were detained during picketing.
The strike drew strong support across the town, with state-owned banks, most government offices, markets including Pani Chowki Bazaar, and rural commercial establishments remaining closed. Roads wore a deserted look throughout the day.
The 11 demands include preparing a master plan for drainage in Kailashahar town, repairing the key road connecting Old Dak Bungalow to Rangaouti, implementing the Prime Minister’s announcement on starting airport and rail services in Kailashahar, providing MGNREGA work, assistance to families affected by last year’s floods, and completion of embankment projects, among others.
Students faced hardship as examinations scheduled in several schools coincided with the strike. Though exams were exempted from bandh restrictions, many students were forced to walk 8–9 kilometers to reach exam centers. The District Education Officer assured that students unable to appear would be given another chance.
District Congress President Mohammad Badruzzaman and local MLA Birajit Sinha thanked residents for spontaneously supporting the bandh, calling it “a people’s movement in Kailashahar’s interest.” They warned that unless the demands are fulfilled, the party will launch further agitations after Durga Puja.
Reacting to the strike, BJP Unakoti District President Bimal Kar criticized the Congress, saying, “The opposition has the right to protest, but bandh is not the solution. At the festive season and on examination day, such disruption has caused immense hardship to citizens, patients, and traders.” He said BJP refrained from counter-protests to avoid further inconvenience to the public.
Police said the situation remained under control, with strict monitoring across the subdivision.
