Title - 3rd Bangalore special soon, Assam to reimburse fares

The Assam Government will run a third special train between Guwahati and Bangalore on September 20 to send back those students and workers who had left some selected south Indian cities last month after rumours of possible attack on them.A review meeting in Dispur took the decision to run the third special train, a statement issued by the Government said on Friday while adding that the State Government will bear the cost of the ticket of those willing to return to Bangalore and other cities.The Assam Government had run the first special train to Bangalore on September 1 and a second special train is expected to leave for Bangalore from Guwahati railway station on Saturday at 1.15 pm. The State also said that the Deputy Commissioner Kamrup (Metro) had already been asked to arrange for sufficient contingency money for reimbursing the ticket costs to the people who will board the special train on Saturday.The statement, however, made it clear that the passengers can board the special train on Saturday only from Guwahati, Kamakshya, Rangia, New Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar railway stations. The passengers, who board the Bangalore special tomorrow, will also get their tickets reimbursed, the statement said.NFR chief spokesman Situsing Hajong confirmed said that there are plans to run a special train between Guwahati and Bangalore. The NFR is, however, yet to notify the special train on September 20.

The Assam Government had also directed the transport department to issue instructions to all the Deputy Commissioners in the State to register the details of the people who inquire about the special train on September 20 through the helpline created by the State Government.

“On receipt of the details of the people from the DCs, the Transport Secretary will inform the Northeast Frontier Railway authorities for making necessary arrangements for these people,” the statement said.

The State Government will pay money for purchasing the tickets of the special train scheduled on September 20 to the NFR by way of account transfer. About 34,627 people from various parts of south India left for Guwahati since August 15 in nine special trains.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka had visited Assam on August 25 and Manipur on August 26 to assure the people of the north-eastern States of security. He also met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and appealed to him to arrange for special trains to facilitate return of the people who had left the south Indian cities.