Guwahati, Aug 27 (IANS) The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) observed Thursday as a local holiday across five districts of Assam as a mark of respect following the sudden death of Bijit Gwra Narzary, Deputy Speaker of the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA), officials said.
According to a notification issued by the BTC General Administration Department, the holiday is being observed in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Tamulpur and Udalguri districts.
The order will be applicable to offices of departments under the administrative control of the BTC, including the offices of Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) functioning under the council.
However, educational institutions have been kept outside the scope of the holiday. Schools, colleges and examination centres will remain operational, with students and staff involved in examinations required to report for their duties as scheduled.
Personnel engaged in Census-related work have also been directed to continue with their assigned responsibilities despite the local holiday.
As part of the official mourning, the BTC has further ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast on August 27 and 28.
The directive applies to government offices, educational institutions and other establishments under the BTC where the National Flag is ordinarily displayed.
Narzary’s sudden demise has prompted the BTC administration to announce the special holiday and mourning protocol across the council’s five districts.
The Deputy Speaker was a prominent functionary of the BTCLA, and his death has led to expressions of grief within the BTC administration and the wider Bodoland region. The two-day half-mast directive is intended to formally honour Narzary’s memory, while the local holiday allows government offices under the BTC to observe the occasion.
The BTC administration has also clarified that essential examination and Census-related responsibilities will not be disrupted by the holiday order.
–IANS
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