'Rail roko' hits train services in lower Asom

Kokrajhar, May 9 (UNI) Rail traffic was severely hit today in lower Asom following a 12-hour 'rail roko' by the Bodo organisations against the delimitation proposal.

The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) had called for the blockade from 0600 hrs. The ABSU was supported by the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, All Bodo Women's Welfare Federation and Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Rabiram faction).

They were protesting against the proposals of de-reservation of the Lok Sabha and the Assembly seats in the Bodoland areas.

Hundreds of picketers blocked the railway tracks between Rangiya station and Kokrajhar station, affecting train movements.

The Government Railway Police and district administration personnel were on duty at the blockade sites. No untoward incident was reported.

Barring the early morning trains, no movement was reported between these two stations throughout the blockade period.

Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway PRO Jayanta Sharma informed that movement of trains entering the state was regulated at Kamakhyaguri and Cooch Behar stations. The out-bound trains were controlled at Guwahati and Rangiya stations.

Many of the trains were delayed and had to be regulated en-route due to which many of the trains scheduled to leave Guwahati tomorrow could be cancelled or rescheduled, the PRO said.

''A final decision will be taken only after evaluation of the exact position,'' he added.

The major trains scheduled to leave Guwahati that were affected include the Rajdhani Express, the Privandrum Express, the Sampark Kranthi Express, the Kamrup Express, the Brahmaputra Mail and the North East Express.

However, train services in Upper Asom were not affected, Mr Sharma said.

UNI