Train service disrupted in Assam by Adivasi blockade

Train services of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) via Fakiragram junction of Lower Assam's Kokrajhar district was disrupted today for nearly six hours following a rail blockade call at Kokrajhar railway station by the Adivasi National Convention Committee (ANCC).

Several up and down trains including the Rajdhani Express, were controlled at various stations in Lower Assam and in North Bengal during the protest period, NFR sources said.

Hundreds of Adivasi people from various districts of Lower Assam gathered on the rail track at Kokrajhar station with banner, festoon and placards to block the tracks and shouted slogans, the sources said.

ANCC president Boyal Hembrom and secretary Birsing Munda alleged that both the state and central governments have been playing politics over the issues of the Adavasis for long years.

After the blockade was lifted, ANCC submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the deputy commissioner of Kokrajhar.

ANCC, a conglomeration organization of ceasefire militant outfits and other Adivasi organisations, called for the blockade over various demands including early granting of Scheduled Tribe status to ethnic communities, implementation of Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, permanent allotment of land and land deeds to the tea garden workers in Assam.