HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Feb 14: The Kamtapur State Demand Council (KSDC) has temporarily withdrawn the indefinite railway blockade programme that was scheduled for 15 February across Assam and West Bengal. The protest had been called to demand Scheduled Tribe status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community, reconstitution of a separate Kamtapur state and expedited peace talks with both factions of the KLO.
The announcement was made on Saturday by KSDC Central Publicity Secretary Nityananda Adhikari during a press conference held at Narabari Chilarai Bhawan in Kokrajhar town. He stated that the organisation decided to suspend the agitation after the Central Government assured them that peace talks with both factions of the KLO would be held on 25 February.
Related Posts:
However, Adhikari warned that if the Central Government fails to honour its promise, the organisation will be compelled to resume the suspended agitation programme after 25 February.
The press conference was attended by KSDC Central Assistant Secretary Kandarp Roy, Kokrajhar district president Baneram Barman, Dhubri district president Arya Koch and Chirang district president Shiben Chandra Roy. It is noteworthy that KSDC has previously announced railway blockade programmes and later withdrawn them, sparking widespread discussion within the community. Many members have described this recurring pattern as linked to what they call “Dispur’s lollipop.”
