AKRSU rail blockade paralyzes movement of trains

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 8: The railway blockade of All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) led by the Pradip Ray faction on Tuesday in support of their demand paralyzed the movement of trains in the region and various trains were halted in different rail stations. The proposed 12-hour railway blockade was, however, shortened to six hours as the students’ union lifted the blockade at 11 am after the government assured to hold formal talks with them.

Hundreds of AKRSU activists blocked the railway track at Choutara Rail station under Gossaigaon subdivision in Kokrajhar district since the morning. The blockade was staged to demand ST status for Koch Rajbongshis and Kamatapur state. The student body withdrew the blockade after 11 am while the Lower Assam Commissioner, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner and Kokrajhar SP conveyed the message of the government which assured for holding talks with the student body on their issues. The train services were resumed after 12 pm.

AKRSU president Pradip Ray said the BJP-led government at the Centre and State was deliberately delaying the demand for ST for Koch Rajbongshi community and creating Kamatapur state. He warned that the student body would be compelled to launch vigorous agitation programme if the government failed to take proactive measures to grant ST status and Kamatapur state to Koch-Rajbongshis.