KOKRAJHAR, Dec 19 - Train services including that of Rajdhani Express via Fakiragram junction of lower Assam�s Kokrajhar district was disrupted this morning for nearly six hours following a rail blockade at Kokrajhar railway station staged by the Adivasi National Convention Committee (ANCC).
The ANCC, a conglomeration of militant outfits under ceasefire and various other Adivasi organisations observed the blockade programme today demanding early granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the communities, implementation of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, permanent allotment of land pattas to tea garden workers in Assam and settlement of the demands of the militant outfits under ceasefire of the Adivasi community through political negotiation.
Hundreds of Adivasi people from various districts of lower Assam like Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri, Bongaigaon etc., gathered near the rail tracks at Kokrajhar railway station with banners, festoons and placards for the blockade, which began from 7 am. They shouted slogans demanding ST status etc. ANCC president Boyal Hembrom, secretary Birsing Munda, among others, also joined the blockade programme.
The leaders alleged that both the State and Central governments have been politicizing the issues of the Adivasis since a long time.
The blockade was later lifted at 1 pm. The ANCC also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Deputy Commissioner, Kokrajhar Niranjan Baruah in presence of Superintendent of Police, Kokrajhar at Kokrajhar railway station at 1 pm.
Several Up and Down express trains were controlled at various railway stations in lower Assam and North Bengal during the blockade period. A few trains were also cancelled due to the blockade.
