Dhubri, Aug. 22: The 10-day bandh called by banned National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has adversely affected normal life in Lower Assam’s Dhubri district.

A direct fallout of the bandh, which began on August 14, is the spiralling prices of essential commodities, making life miserable for the common people. The bandh also led to a shortage of LPG cylinders, petrol and diesel. Taking advantage of the situation, unscrupulous traders have arbitrarily hiked the prices of essential commodities. LPG cylinders are no longer being sold at Rs 300, while prices of potato and onion are soaring by the day.

Commuters, on the other hand, are facing a harrowing time, as buses are not plying from the district. However, buses to Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts from the district and vice versa are running with armed escorts.

Secretary of the Dhubri District Stage Carriage and Omni Bus Owners’ Association Bipul Sakar said the members affiliated to the association had decided to keep their buses off the roads during the bandh, as they were apprehensive of protestors damaging the vehicles.

Sakar pointed out that the administration had promised to provide security cover if the buses plied in a convoy and only during the day, which was not acceptable to the association. Under the existing insurance rules, damage caused to vehicles during bandhs are not covered by any insurance company following a Supreme Court verdict to this effect, he added.