The indefinite rail blockade on Thursday, observed by the Indigenous Students’ Forum (ISF) and the Indigenous Women’s Forum (IWF) demanding release of compensation to the affected owners of land who had to lose their lands for broad gauge conversion from Lumding to Siclhar, affected movement of trains in Lumding-Silchar route.
Due to the ‘Rail Roko’ programme, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) authority had to cancel, short terminate and reschedule a number of trains on the day.
The railway authorities also regulated few trains for the rail blockade.
According to official information, due to the indefinite rail blockage started from 5 am on Thursday in Dima Hasao district by Indigenous Student’s Forum and Indigenous Women Forum, the NFR had to cancel the 55615 Guwahati-Silchar passenger train at 11:55 pm.
On the other hand, the NFR authority had to short terminate 13175 up Sealdah-Silchar Kanchanjunga Express, which arrived at New Haflong at 11:38 am.
The 55616 down Silchar-Guwahati passenger train, which arrived at Ditokcherra (DTC) at 12:10 hours, was short terminated and was partially cancelled between Ditokcherra and Guwahati.
The 13174 down Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express, which arrived at Ditokcherra (DTC) at 1:15 pm, was short terminated. The rake will be returned to Agartala and the train was partially cancelled in between Ditokcherra (DTC) and Sealdah.
The 15611 up Guwahati-Silchar Express was short terminated at Lumding and cancelled in between Lumding and Silchar.
The 14019 down Agartala-Anand Vihar Terminal Tripura Sundari Express scheduled to leave Agartala at 2:00 pm has been rescheduled to leave at 12:00 noon of March 8, 2019 at Agartala.
The 12508 down Silchar-Trivandrum Central (TVC) Aronai Express scheduled to leave Silcghar at 8:05 pm on Thursday has been rescheduled to leave at 9:00 am of March 8, 2019.
While the 12503 up Humsafar Express has been controlled at Lumding, the 20502 up Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT)-Agartala Rajdhani will be short terminated at Guwahati and partially cancelled between Guwahati and Agartala.
In connection with the rail blockade programme and to maintain law and order situation in the district, the district magistrate of Dima Hasao Amitabh Rajkhowa, in an order prohibited unnecessary assembly of five or more persons in railway stations, railway tracks without carrying valid journey tickets.
The DM also prohibited organising of any agitational programme such as bandh, rallies, strike, dharnas and demonstration without prior permission.
he also prohibited carrying of lethal weapons, pillion riding of two-wheelers except old persons and children below 10 years and government servants on duty.
“Violators of the above order will be dealt with as per law. This order is passed ex-parte considering exigency of the situation,” the order stated.