Title - Train drivers want better security

HAFLONG  – Though the NF Railway authority has changed the timings of trains running between Lumding-Silchar and Lumding-Agartala from night time to daytime due to security reasons, the train drivers working in this hill section are feeling insecure since only two unarmed security personnel have been engaged.The NF Railway has changed the timings of the trains from Friday following the attack on the Agartala Express on Thursday by unidentified gunmen near the Lower Haflong Raiway Station.The Railway authority has introduced two up and down passenger special and special express trains which will run between Lumding-Silchar and Lumding-Agatala. According to the new schedule, the down passenger special will leave Lumding at 5 am and reach Lower Haflong at 10 am and Silchar at 6 pm. The Express Special will leave Lumding at 7 am and reach Lower Haflong at 11.30 am and Agartala at 3 am (the next day). The up passenger special will leave Silchar at 5 am and reach Lower Haflong at 11.30 am and Lumding at 6 pm. The express special will leave Agartala at 8 pm and reach Lower Haflong at 8 am and Lumding at 4 pm.PK Mutsuddi, Station Superintendent, Lower Haflong, said the new train timings would remain in force till further orders as per the direction of the General Manager (Operation), NF Railway, Maligaon.Maheswar Saikia, driver, Lumding, expressed concern over the poor security arrangements. He recalled the killing of a driver, Nityananda Bora of Lumding and two other employees in 2008 between Mupa-Kalachand of this hill section by extremists.On October 5, 2011, another driver was shot in his leg and the engine was set ablaze. Therefore, the train drivers want proper security measures.