Adivasis block rail for ST status, train services hit

JAT agitation fallout

Our CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 22: Close on the heels of the Jat protests for job quotas, Adivasi organizations in lower Assam today blocked trains demanding ST status.

The Adivasi tiol Convention Committee (ANCC), a conglomeration of different Adivasi organizations including ceasefire militant outfits of the community, staged a demonstration at Kokrajhar Railway Station from 8 am till 1pm, affecting rail movement on the route.

The NF Railways halted the trains at different stations. Express trains like the down Rajdhani and Bangalore Express were stopped for over two hours at New Bongaigaon and several passenger and goods trains were also affected and halted at different stations.

Several hundred agitators thronged the railway track, shouting slogans demanding ST status and tripartite talks with ceasefire militants groups like BSF, AAL, STF, APA and NSLA which are currently under ceasefire.

Talking to reporters, Birsing Munda, general secretary of ANCC and the 'c-in-c' Birsa Commando Force, voiced resentment at the sil's pace progress of the talks.

BoyalHembram, president of the ANCC, said the government should clarify its stand on the demand for ST status before the assembly elections. "Else, we will be compelled to start a vigorous movement in the State. The State government and Centre have not taken any initiative for addressing the grievances of the militant outfits which are currently under ceasefire," he said.

The organizations threatened to boycott the assembly elections if Adivasis are not given ST status by then.