Trade License of Business Establishments Supporting Assam Bandh will be Cancelled: Gauhati High Court

Guwahati: In the wake of the Assam Bandh called by certain organizations to be practised on October 23, 2018, the Gauhati High Court has issued an order that such bandhs can be treated as unlawful activities. The court has also ordered that any commercial organization that follows the bandh call will be considered as following unlawful activity for which acute steps will be taken against such organizations.

As ordered by the Hon’ble High Court, confidence-building measures like immediate heavy deployment of forces in the morning hours will be taken up so that the public can carry out the regular functions irrespective of the bandh. For further security of the masses, actions like escorting the public transport vehicles and other preventive precautionary measures may be taken to enjoy peaceful and normal situation throughout the state.

In a government notification released by the Hon’ble High Court, the court asks the administration to take all necessary steps in order to ensure that the Assam Bandh called by the local organization should not disrupt the normal life and business.

The media reports say that as per the High Court order, any business establishment found supporting the bandh will be punished with cancellation of their trade licenses. The court also orders the Superintendents of Police and the Deputy Commissioners to inform the business communities in their respective districts regarding the same.

Meanwhile, State Minister for P.W.D, Health and Finance Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “The court has termed the bandh as illegal. We have to follow the court’s order and hence we said that all shops should remain open. The government employees must report to their duties or else it will be treated as a contempt of court.”

He also added that “No permission will be given for organizing the November 17 mass gathering (of Bengali bodies) as per the law and order assessment of the Assam Government.”