Indian Railways News => Topic started by nikhilndls on Mar 14, 2013 - 09:00:55 AM


Title - All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union blockade disrupts rail traffic
Posted by : nikhilndls on Mar 14, 2013 - 09:00:55 AM

KOKRAJHAR: The rail blockade called by All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU) demanding creation of a separate Kamatapur state and inclusion of Koch Rajbongshis in the ST list disrupted train services on Wednesday. Over 100 AKRSU activists, including its general secretary Trailakya Ray, were arrested during the blockade at Bongaigaon.The student union had called a four-hour blockade, but it was shortened by two hours.AKRSU president Hiteswar Barman led the blockade at Salakati in Kokrajhar district where nearly 2,000 supporters sat on the tracks blocking the movement of trains. The blockade was staged at Bongaigaon, Salakati, Golakganj and Barpeta.The Rajdhani Express was stranded at Patsala while the Gaya-Kamakya Express train was halted at Fakiragram.Northeast Frontier Railway officials said train services were affected only for a few hours in the morning and the movement of trains became regular after 11am.

Barman said they were compelled to call the rail blockade to make the Centre listen to their demands. He said they have been demanding the inclusion of Koch Rajbongshis in the ST list and creation of a separate Kamatapur state to be carved out from Assam and West Bengal.

He said the government had earlier assured the Rajbongshi community it would be included in the ST list but hasn't done it so far. He added AKRSU would be compelled to launch a more vigorous movement if both the Centre and the state fail to concede to their demands.

Meanwhile, Bodo MP S K Bwiswmuthiary on Tuesday said the Centre should adopt a uniform policy decision to create smaller states across the country. He laid stress on creation of more states in the country for equitable development of backward regions, which have been neglected over the years.

Bwiswmuthiary said apart from Telangana, the regions that deserve consideration for creation of separate states are Bodoland, Vidarbha, Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Harit Pradesh, Kamatapur, Twipra, Bhil Pradesh and some others.

"I urge upon the Centre to take a positive policy decision on the creation of separate states for all deserving communities of different regions."