Partial impact of economic blockade in Kolhan region

Jamshedpur,Dec 17 (UNI) The dawn-to-dusk economic blockade in Jharkhand and neighbouring tribal dominated districts of West Bengal and Orissa, called by some adivasi organisations including Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP), evoked partial response in the Kolhan region here today.

JDP and the other tribal outfits of Assam such as Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam, Birsa Commando Force and All India Adivasi Youth and Students' Union of Assam supported the economic blockade in Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa to press their demand to grant Scheduled Tribes status to the tribals of Assam.

JDP chairman Salkhan Murmu, leading the agitation in Jharkhand, squatted on the railway tracks at Lota Pahar station in West Singhbhum district along with the party activists since morning.

Mr Murmu told UNI that they had stopped goods trains, passing through the Chakradharpur division of south eastern railways.

However, the JDP activists also blocked the movement of Sambalpur-Howrah Ispat Express for a brief period.

'' We are sparing the passenger and long-distance trains,'' Mr Murmu said.

He claimed that the blockade was successful in Dhanband, Dumka and some places in West Bengal. The blockade had a good impact in Assam also, he claimed.

Meanwhile, the JDP supporters staged a road blockade on National Highway 33 in Baharagora near Orissa-Jharkhand border and disrupted traffic for a few hours in the morning. Around 20 people were rounded up by the police from Baharagora,the sources stated.

UNI