Train services hit in Assam by blockade

Train services in Assam were severely affected today in the 12-hour railway blockade by three organisations demanding a separate Bodoland state.
All Bodo Students' Union, Peoples Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement and NDFB squatted on railway tracks at several places in lower Assam disrupting rail traffic during the day.
There was, however, no report of any untoward incident from anywhere police said.
The three organisations are also demanding political rights and protection to Bodos who are residing outside the demanded Bodoland area.
Major long-distance trains like up and down Rajdhani Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Assam-Avadh Express, Bangalore-Kamakhya Express, Kanchanjunga Express, Kamrup Express and Saraighat Express were controlled at different stations, while some local trains have been cancelled, a North East Frontier Railway spokesman said.

Twenty trains have been controlled at Rangiya, Alipurduar, New Jalpaiguri, New Coochbehar, New Bongaigaon and Barpeta Road stations.
Among the trains cancelled are the up and down New Jalpaiguri-Rangiya passenger and Guwahati-New Bongaigaon, New Bongaigaon and New Jalpaiguri Dmu rail, Alipurduar-Kamakhya Intercity and Lumding-Alipurduar Intercity.
The blockade was called off an hour before it was scheduled to end at 1700 hours but train services resumed much later, the spokesman added.