Protestors block railway tracks in Kokrajhar, demand tribal status

Demonstrators were demanding the creation of a separate state carved out of Assam and West Bengal

Koch Rajbongshi demonstrators on Tuesday blocked railway tracks in Choutara railway station of Assam's Kokrajhar district disrupting movement of trains between the northeast region and the rest of the country.

In response to a 12-hour railway blockade called by the All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students Union (AKRASU) and its allied organisations, their members and supporters squatted on the train tracks near the station from 5 AM.

With painted faces and carrying placards, the demonstrators shouted slogans demanding creation of a separate Kamatapur state carved out of five districts of Assam and some from neighbouring West Bengal and also demanded Schedued Tribe status to the Koch Rajbongshis in Assam.

While the Guwahati-Patna Capital Express was controlled at Goalpara, DN Guwahati-Howrah Saraighat Express was controlled at Gossaigaon and New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express at New Bongaigaon, a spokesperson from the NF railway headquarters said.

Railway sources in Alipurduar junction of West Bengal said all trains were controlled at Alipurduar, New Alipurduar or New Jalpaiguri Junctions.

RPF sources in Assam and Alipurduar in West Bengal said no untoward incident has been reported so far.