Railway services connecting the Northeast with the rest of the country were affected during the 10-hour railway blockade observed by the Adivasi National Convention Committee (ANCC) in different parts of Assam in support of their various demands including Scheduled Tribe status for the Adivasi community in Assam.
Along with other parts of the Adivasi-dominated areas in Assam, hundreds of people with placards, banners blocked the railway lines at Kokrajhar Railway Station in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD).
The protestors shouted slogans demanding ST status to the Adivasi community. They also demanded increase in the minimum wage of the tea garden labourers who have been working in different tea gardens across Assam.
Besides, they also demanded that the government should solve the issues of the Adivasi militant outfits which are in ceasefire with the government.
In Kokrajhar, the protestors staged protest at the Kokrajhar Railway Station on Thursday since 6 in the morning which affected the movement of trains along the route.
Besides demanding ST status to the Adivasi community residing in Assam, the at ANCC, an umbrella organization of several Adivasi organizations, urged the government to expedite the peace talks with the Adivasi rebel groups which are in ceasefire.
The protestors also demanded that land be allotted and land pattas be provided to the landless Adivasi people and the evicted Adivasi people be rehabilitated.