Haflong, Assam:
Railway tracks and bridges were today damaged in Haflong in Assam on the fourth day of a 100-hour bandh, affecting the supply of essential commodities to neighbouring states.
Railway communication was completely disrupted between Lumding and Badarpur with the bandh supporters damaging the tracks near Bageter station, the police said.
Supporters of NC Hills Indigenous Student Forum (NCHISF), which has given the Dima Hasao bandh call, also set ablaze a railway bridge near Migrendisa station under Haflong police station in Dima Hasao district.
Essential supply of goods to Barak Valley and neighbouring states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram were affected.
All passenger and goods trains had been cancelled as a precautionary measure since the beginning of the bandh on February 26 last, official sources said.
The bandh was called by NCHISF, demanding bifurcation of Dima Hasao into two districts and protesting over renaming of NC Hills to Dima Hasao.
The bandh has almost paralysed normal life with almost all establishments remaining shut for the fourth consecutive day in the district today.
Since February 26, banks, post offices, markets, other commercial establishments and government offices were closed and vehicles off the roads.
The bandh was marred by violence yesterday with at least 15 persons, including a lady police officer, seriously injured in a clash between police and bandh supporters at Mahur Railway station.
Yesterday's clash took place when the police tried to lift a rail blockade by agitators.
The district administration has been trying to convince the NCHISF to withdraw the bandh and maintain peace.