Wednesday, February 9 2005 13:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: Normal life across Assam was hit by a 12-hour bandh called by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Feb 9, 2005) in protest against the alleged anomalies in selection of candidates for the police constabulary.

No untoward incident had been reported from any part of the State till last reports came in, with security beefed up and patrolling enhanced.

Official sources in Guwahati said that shops, educational institutions and banks remained closed.

Long distance and city private bus services remained suspended though a few Government buses operated in Guwahati and other parts of the State.

Trains and flights, however, operated as per schedule, the sources said.

Attendance in Government offices was thin despite Government directions to ensure normal functioning. Private offices remained closed.

The BJP has called the bandh to protest against the ruling Congress' alleged precedence to minority community candidates in the recruitment of police constables.

Accusing the Tarun Gogoi Government of indulging in partisan politics, BJP has charged the Government with "designing the recruitment at the behest of ISI to infiltrate Bangladeshis in the Assam Police."

The saffron party has also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Home Minister Rockybul Hussain and Planning Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for their alleged role in the "defective" recruitment process.