GUWAHATI: Normal life was affected in lower Assam districts today due to a day-long bandh called by a Muslim
outfit to protest against the recent violence. Official sources said shops, schools, business establishment and financial institutions remained closed while there was less traffic on the national highway. Train movement, however, was not affected. The bandh has been called by new outfit Muslim Yuva Parishad. Meanwhile, chief minister Tarun Gogoi held a discussion with members of the civil society the recent violence in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon districts. Gogoi admitted that relief camps were overcrowded and there was need for decongestion and proper sanitation. He appealed to the people to ignore rumours which were spreading "like wildfire". Expressing concern over destruction of houses and property, civil society members urged the government to seize illegal arms. They also expressed concern at the exodus of North East people from other states and urged students and professionals not to pay heed to rumours.