Assam bandh: 15 injured in petrol bomb

Guwahati, Oct 12 : At least 15 people were injured when the bandh supporters threw petrol bomb at a bus during a 12-hour Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) shutdown called by the All Assam Adivasi Students Association (AAASA) in Assam’s Udalguri district on Monday, police said.

The incident took place at Lalbagh under Orang police station in the district, when the bandh supporters throw petrol bomb at a passenger bus that was travelling from Biswanath Chariali to Guwahati.

"At least 15 people were injured; out of which eight are critical. Six people have been rushed to Guwahati Medical College Hospital and two to Tezpur Kanaklata Civil Hospital," a senior police official said.

Meanwhile, Udalguri Additional Superintendent of Police Satyajit Nath said, one of the main culprits, Santosh Mahatoo, has been apprehended.

The bandh has been called in demand of scheduled tribe status for Adivasis in Assam and rehabilitation of adivasis (tribals) evicted from forest lands in Saralpara village of Kokrajhar district.