All the state and Central government offices and government institutions remained closed during the bandh period though the state government issued a directive on the bandh-eve to its district magistrates and divisional commissioners to keep the offices functioning.
All the financial institutions, private and public business establishments, and educational institutions kept their shutters downed during the day. However, government and private hospitals and Assam State Electricity Board offices were exempted from the bandh by the ULFA.
Private vehicles were off the road during the bandh period while government-owned Assam State Transport Corporation buses maintained a skeletal service. Railways and air services were not affected, but in coming passengers were seen stranded on railway stations and airport because of bandh.
The bandh passed off peacefully with no report of untoward incidents from any parts of the state even as state government took elaborate measures to tighten vigil during the bandh period.
The wives of six ULFA leaders, whose whereabouts are not known since the Royal Bhutan Army had arrested them during 'Operation All Clear' in the Himalayan kingdom in December 2003, and subsequently handed over to Indian authority, have been on an indefinite hunger strike since March 21 last demanding information about their husbands. They were arrested by police on March 30, 2006 and admitted into hospital 'for their survival'.
Meanwhile, Assam government stated that it couldn't allow the fasting wives of missing ULFA leaders to die in front of his eyes. The government said it had once again requested New Delhi to get in touch with royal regime in Bhutan to find information about those ULFA leaders.
