by Preetam B C
Kokrajhar : Life was affected in many parts of lower Assam districts, including the four districts of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD), during a 12-hour strike by the National Democratic Front of Boroland(NDFB) in a protest against life sentence awarded to its president Ranjan Daimary and 9 others by a special court over 30 October 2008 serial blast.
The bandh which started 5 am this morning saw total shutdown with all commercial establishment like markets, 
banks remain closed in the four BTC administered districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. The roads, including National Highway 31C, which connects the Northeast to the rest of the country were deserted, though trains plied as usual. Essential commodities like milk and water supply, ambulances, pharmacy were exempted from the strike.
It is to be mentioned that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Guwahati on 30 January last had sentenced NDFB founder chairman Ranjan Daimary alias DR Nabla and 9 others members of the outfit to life imprisonment, and 14 others were convicted in the October 30, 2008 serial bomb blasts in Guwahati, Barpeta Road, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon that claimed 88 lives and left around 500 injured.
Meanwhile, the anti-talk faction of the NDFB (NDFB-S) termed the verdict “unfortunate and an act of injustice and dominance to the Boro community”.
In a press statement, the President, NDFB(S) B.Saoraigwra said “The central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court pronounce life Imprisonment to ten accused NDFB in Assam serial bomb blast on 30,october, 2008, namely DR Nabla, George Boro, B.Tharai, Raju Sarkar, Anchai Bodo, Indra Brahma, Loko Basumatary, Khargeswar Basumatary, Ajoy Basumatary and Rajen Goyary. It’s very unfortunate and it’s an act of injustice and dominance to the Boro community”.
The statement said Ranjan Daimary and his group made a ceasefire agreement with Indian Government on 2013 and start peace talk with GOI under the Indian constitution. “He had been bail on conditions, so in this condition the court should not declare them life imprisonment, it read.
“Nothing will be achieved by the Boro people through the peace process as we have seen that the Indian policy is absolutely to disregard and dominate the right of the Boro people with their Iron hands. How can we feel safe and secure in this circumstance? Boro Nation will be vanished if we slumber in peace because Indian policy is Zero tolerance upon Boro community, it said.
