Train services to Tripura, Assam suspended; army conducts flag march

Following protests in the two states over the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, railways has suspended all passenger train services in Tripura and Assam and short-terminated long distance trains to the region to Guwahati, a railway spokesperson told PTI on Thursday (December 12).

The decision was taken Wednesday night in view of the security situation in the region, Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Subhanan Chanda said, adding many passengers are stranded in Kamakhya and Guwahati.

Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), North Frontier Railway: All trains from Guwahati towards upper Assam region have been cancelled.

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2019

After a railway station in Dibrugarh’s Chabua, the hometown of the Assam chief minister, was set on fire by protestors late Wednesday night and the Panitola railway station in Tinsukia district torched, 12 companies of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) have been dispatched to the region, DG of RPF Arun Kumar told PTI.

“Passengers are stranded and we are trying to help them as much as possible. We are mulling to run special trains to ferry these passengers, but are still weighing if the risk is worth it. It might be a security threat for passengers if protesters stop the trains. As of now all passenger trains have been suspended and trains from outside the region are being short terminated at Guwahati,” Chanda said.

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AASU calls for protest

Meanwhile, despite imposition of curfew in two places of Assam, students body AASU and peasants organisation KMSS have asked people to step out of their homes at 11 am here on Thursday to protest against the Citizenship(Amendment) Bill that was cleared in Parliament.

An indefinite curfew had been imposed in Guwahati and Dibrugarh since Wednesday evening while the Army was called in at four places, including the state capital, Dibrguarh, Tinsukia and Jorhat districts.

Also read: Northeast burns over CAB, Army deployed in Guwahati

“This fight against the bill will be very long. Weurge people to come out and join the protest gathering at 11 am at Latashil field in Guwahati,” All Assam Students Union(AASU) chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told reporters.

Popular singer Zubeen Garg also appealed to people andthe artist community to join the AASU-led programme. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) advisor AkhilGogoi said, “We request people to come out of their home and protest against this communal legislation. We appeal to people not to damage public property.”

Also read: IUML moves SC challenging Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

Meanwhile, tea garden workers stopped work in Lakhimpur and Charaideo districts and also at Numaligarh in Golaghat district and some areas in Tinsukia district. All educational institutions across the state are closed. Internet services have been suspended in 10 districts,beginning 7 pm on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)