Train services hit in Assam following blockade by tribals

Train services were affected in parts of western Assam for several hours on Monday following a rail blockade called by tribal organisations demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Koch Rajbongshi community.

Protestors belonging to All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union and All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani squatted on tracks near Gossaigaon station since early morning disrupting movement of trains, a North East Frontier Railway spokesman said here.

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The police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the protestors following which the trains resumed their onward journey at around 2 pm, police said.

The Up Kamakhya Intercity and Down Bangaigaon New Jalpaiguri Passenger have been cancelled for the day while Jaswantpur Express was detained at New Coochbehar station and a goods train at Kokrajhar.

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The Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express was diverted via Fakiragram, Golokganj and New Coochbehar, the NF Railway spokesman said adding that the blockade was called off at 2 pm.

The Koch Rajbongshi community people live mainly in districts such as Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Bangaigaon and Goalpara.

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Five other communities of Assam that too seek the ST status are the Tai Ahoms, Morans, Muttocks, Sooteas and the Adivasis.