Guwahati: A 12-hour general strike called by separatist outfit United Liberation Front of Assam, or Ulfa, has crippled life across Assam on Monday.
Though some shops and business establishments were opened in urban areas, life in general has come to a grinding halt.
Most of the vehicles were off the road in the state Capital. Government offices were open, but the banks and financial institutions had downed their shutters.
On Friday, thousands of people marched to a police station in the town of Lajum in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district, to protest the death of a civilian in Army custody just days ago.
Police fired on the advancing crowd, killing 10. A mob then lynched a paramilitary trooper and snatched several weapons.
Police claim there were about 10,000 rampaging protesters in Lajum, about 600 km east of Guwahati, and that they fired in self defence.
"We have ordered a judicial probe into Friday's police firing. I appeal to everyone, including the militants, to restore calm as we do not want the peace process to break down," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
Gogoi has also declared an ex-gratia grant of Rs 3 lakhs to next of the kin of each victims, who died in police firing.
The Ulfa regards the custodial death as a violation of human rights. The incident has evoked strong reactions.
The People's Consultative group, which is talking to the central Government on the possibility of bringing the ULFA to cease violence, has threatened to walk out of the peace process.
The powerful All Assam Students Union has also given a similar call for Tuesday.
(With agency inputs)
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