From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: All the long-distance trains were run in convoy under security escort in Assam because of the volatile situation precipitated by the intensive statehood movements started by various ethnic communities in the wake of Centre’s decision to create Telangana State.
The trains were running inordinately late while local trains sttod cancelled much to the chagrin of commuters even as multiple bandh calls given by various ethnic groups threw vehicular traffic out of the National Highways that connect the Northesat to the rest of the country via Assam.
A spokesman of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) informed that the railways had to cancel 13 pairs of trains that run between Lumding-Tinsukia, Alipurduar-Kamakhya and New Bongaigaon-Guwahati sections because of the volatile situation and picketing on the tracks by the agitators.
He informed Dibrugarh (eastern Assam)- New Delhi Rajdhani Express was running 10 hours late , Dibrugarh _kolkata Kamrup Express was running 10 hours late, Tinsukia- New Delhi Brahmaputra Mail was running more than seven hours late and Dibrugarh-Chennai Express was running five hours late even before reaching Guwahati.
“The NFR is trying its best to keep the long-distance trains running despite all odds,” the official said.
United Democratic People’s Front (UDPF) has called for 1500 hours statewide bandh from Monday and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) has called for 48 hours statewide bandh from Monday to press for their demand for a separate State for Bodo tribe while All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) has called for 36 hours bandh demanding a separate Kamatapur State comprising parts of Western Assam and North Bengal.
On the other hand, a Karbi Tribe militant group, banned Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) has called for 288 hours bandh demanding a separate homeland for Karbi tribe in the hills of Assam. Some Dimasa tribe organisations have called for 100 hours bandh in Dima Hasao hill district.
Consequently life has been paralysed in a greater part of western Assam and parts of Karbi Anglong hills districts and Dima Hasao hills districts.
Trucks carrying essential commodities and other goods have been stranded along the national highways connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country through Assam.
Meanwhile, ABSU president Promod Boro has called upon all the volunteers and members of the ABSU not to resort to any sort of violence during the statehood agitation and vowed not to rest till the government of India listens to their cry for a separate Bodoland state.
Elected representatives of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KKAC) and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) have gone to New Delhi to meet Central leaders to press for the demand for a separate State comprising twin hills districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
The Karbi Students association (KSA) on Friday took out a rally in Guwahati streets demanding a separate State.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the government was willing to talk with the agitationists if they shun the path of violence.
In a statement , Gogoi said the doors for negotiations were always open for those who eschew violence and come forward for talks.
“Violence will not solve any problems. Government will not tolerate violent protests in any manner. No one can be allowed to take law unto their hands,” he cautioned.