Skip to content Skip to navigation

Memo to Railway Minister

By Anup Biswas |

With the requests like 1.to cancel the decision to extend Hill Queen Express up to Silchar, 2. to depute 2 (Two) more personnel in the Ticket Counter at the Haflon) Railway Station, and 3.to cancel the decision to abolish the Enquiry Counter/System at the Haflong Railway Station Requesting  for cancellation of the decision to extend the Hill Queen Express up to Silchar, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Public Services Forum (PSF) and various NGO and Student Organisations of the Dima Hasao district has submitted  memoranda to the Union Railway Minister, the General Manager, NF Railways, Maligaon, Guwahati.

The memorandum maintained that the connectivity is one of biggest problems that has affected the socio-economic life of the people of the Dima Hasao District in Assam in spite of the fact that the physical distance between Haflong, the district headquarters ant Guwahati was not very far. Realizing this situation, Shri Debojeet Thaosen and Shr Kulendra Daulagupu, both then newly elected Members of the NC Hill Autonomous Council had approached Shri Ashutosh Swami, the then General Manager of the NF Railways to address this very problem. They invited him to the Central Bushu Dima Celebration Programme at Haflong as the Chief Guest and accordingly, Shri Ashutosh Swami visited Haflong to grace the programme. During his visit at Haflong, he took stock of the connectivity situation after interacting with the civil society of the district. Consequently, Shri Ashutosh Swami took the decision to introduce the Hills Queen Special Train as a link train to the Jana Satapdi Express w.e.f. 20th February 2008. And for the last 5 (Five) years, this special Train has done immense services to the common people of the Dima Hasao district, benefiting the students pursuing higher studies and the patients undergoing better treatment in Guwahati and elsewhere, traders and Businessmen, the District Officials, Security Personnel and other classes of the People from the district.

It is learnt that the NF Railway authority has decided to extend the Hill Queen Express up to Silchar from 1st March 2013. If this was indeed the case then the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Public Services Forum (PSF] and NGOs and Student Organisations of the Dima Hasao strongly opposed the Extension of Hill Queen Express up to Silchar. As elaborated earlier, the Hill Queen Express was introduced exclusively for the people of the Dima Hasao district under extra-ordinary circumstances. As such, the Hill Queen Express should remain as it is - exclusively for Dima Hasao. Because, three Trains - Barak Valley Express, Cachar Express and Agartala Passenger Train are currently running for the people of the Barak Valley. If need be, another Special Train may also be introduced for them as the connecting train to the Jana Satapdi Express. But the people of the Dima Hasao should not be deprived of the primary facilities and rights.

It is also learnt that instead of the stipulated 3 (Three) Personnel in the Ticket Counter, there was only a single person at present at the Haflong Railway Station, resulting in immense hardships to the commuters. Further, it is learnt that the existing enquiry counter/system was about to be abolished at the Haflong Railway Station. If that be the case, then it will create a lot of difficulties to the people of Haflong and Dima Hasao.

The further stated that if the NF Railway authority failed to understand the sentiments and difficulties of the people of Dima Hasao, and decided to carry on its proposal of extension of the 'Hill Queen Express' up to Silchar, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Public Service Forum (PSF) and various NGOs and Student of the Dima Hasao District would be compelled to launch agitation shortly.

Add new comment

Random Stories

BTAD Economic & Statistics and Labour & Employment offices to get new building

10 Feb 2016 - 12:07pm | Hantigiri Narzary
BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary laid foundation stones of Directorate of the Economic & Statistics and Directorate of Labour & Employment office at Baghichagaon, Kokrajhar ...

Poacher killed in Pobitora gunfight

22 May 2015 - 10:17am | AT News
A dread rhino poacher died two of his associates were nabbed at an encounter with police in Pobitora on Friday.The fierce gunbattle took place at midnight at Pagldbeel area inside the wild life...

US Should Abolish H1B Visa To Prevent Reverse Brain Drain

9 Jul 2007 - 11:42am | editor
Our correspondent Atlanta : A leading Indian researcher has suggested that the US abolish the H1B visa and instead issue more green cards to prevent a reverse brain drain. Mr Vivek Wadhwa, an...

OIL feels heat of Moranhat explosion

2 Sep 2014 - 9:31am | AT News
 The Oil India Limited feels the heat of the Singijan incident where four people died and four others have been battling for life. Local residents told Assam Times that a routine check up on...

Other Contents by Author

Army football tournament at Hajadisa

In its continuing effort to increase people – Army interaction and promote co-ordination and cooperation between different tribes of Hajadisa area of Dima Hasao district an Inter village Football Tournament is being organised by the troops of MADRAS Regiment from April 12, 2013.The tournament commenced by kicking of football by village headman at Bara Digar Football Ground.  This five days tournament has drawn enthusiastic response from the public.  A total of 16 teams are participating in the event.  The motive of the tournament is to increase peace and harmony in the region. The final of the tournament will be held on April 16.

Militant nabbed at Haflong

Acting on a tip off, the police and 25 Assam riffles apprehended one Songbambe Kuame @ Nimpeu son of Nailung Kuame aged 19 years a resident of Kelelo village under Haflong Police Station along with one 9 mm auto pistol, one magazine and 3 live rounds at about 1.30 pm on Monday from Kelelo village, some 12 km from Haflong.It is learnt that he has confessed to be self style Sgt, 3rd Bn of NNC, FGN (Federal Government of Nagalim) and has come for tax collection.Later, Songbambe Kuame was handed over to Haflong police station along with recovery  and a case was also registered.

Arms & ammunition recovered at Haflong

In a joint operation by Police and 25 Assam Riffle huge caches of arms and ammunition was recovered 150 mt from railway track near Nutan Basti, Haflong at about 7 pm on Saturday. The recoveries included 973 live rounds of AK, 3 numbers of country made revolvers, 100 nos gelatin stick40 detonators, 1 IED, 2 nos Chinese grenade which were hidden under a tree near the Railway track.The sources in security disclosed that these arms and ammunition could be of NSCN and a combing operation is going on to nab the militants.Only of March 15, 9 Madras stationed at Maibang recovered huge cache arms including 2 nos 9mm pistol with magzine, 4 nos of 12 bore guns, 4 nos Chinese grenade, 2 nos radio set,...

Book on Hmar history released

Under the aegis of Hmar Literature Society (Hmar Sahityua Sabha) a book titled ‘History of The Hmars in North East India’ ( with special reference to Assam ) authored by Rev Hrilrokhum Thiek was released in a simple but solemn function held on Tuesday at the C H Khotlang Memorial at Moulhoi near Haflong.Language, Culture and Literature always considered being the parameter of a civilized advance community or Nation, the Hmar community has marched ahead in this field of Literature. Meanwhile they have introduced books in Hmar language in schools and colleges.Attending the function Dr V L T Bapui, a renowned educationist and litterateur disclosed that though the government has introduced the...

Villagers warn stopping East-west corridor construction

Villagers of Kapurcherra and Miyungkro under Harangajao police station expressing serious concern over the damage of huge agricultural land by the construction companies engaged in the East-west corridor warned that they would not allow the company to work further if NHAI fails to pay their compensation soon.The villagers alleged that the construction companies have destroyed huge agricultural land as they dump the soil anywhere as they wish ignoring the villagers’ complaint even using the security personals to keep the villagers suppressed. They said they have approached the revenue department of N C Hills Autonomous Council and the NHAI authority at Silchar but till the date nothing was...

Dima Hasao gearing up for Council's election

In order to ensure smooth and proper management and free fair, peaceful conduct to the forthcoming 11th N.C. Hills Autonomous Council Election 2013, a meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Haflong with all Heads of Offices of the State, Central, Semi States, Public Sector Undertaking Boards and Co-operation etc. Chairman of the meeting M.K Das, ADC apprised that the State Election Commission will soon issue elections date to the N.C Hills Autonomous Council. At the meeting preliminary matters related to the forthcoming election were discussed and also rules and regulations to be abided by all during the Model code of conduct period. Das also informed that in the...

Major disaster averted by army troops at Maibang

A quick response from Army troops of Madras Regt and fire fighting squad of Maibang Subdivision managed to prevent a major  fire in Koutimdima (Sohil) Village of Maibang Subdivision on Saturday .There was no Casualty or injury as  the two Hut which caught fire were empty .Although villagers had started vacating there houses by the time party reached.  Village Headmen of the village said Villagers called near by Army camp for help. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, firefighting team of Army was activated and one of the officers gave call to fire fighting team of Maibang. With in an hour Army troops along with the help of villagers, were able to control the fire and...

Hills Welfare Society gifts rest house for Gaonburas

Kailan Daulagupu, President, Jadikhe Naisho Hosom, Dimasa Apex body inaugurated the Gaon Bura Rest House in presence of Sri Subrata Thaosen, President Hills Welfare Society, Sri Debolal Gorlosa, Secretary, Hills Welfare Society, Sri Anil Daolagupu, President, All Dima Hasao GB Association and all the Gaon Buras of Dima Hasao on Saturday at Gdain Raji in Haflong.This Gaon Bura Rest House was constructed by the then DHD (J) and gifted to the All Dima Hasao GB Association ceremonially by the Hills welfare Society of former DHD (J) members. The GBs of Dima Hasao always hold high respect in the society but they were not having such accommodation facilities in Haflong town. The GBs coming from...

District Inter school tournament at Haflong

With the hoisting of flag in presence of Executive Member, Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Bakul Bodo, Principals and Head Masters of several schools of Dima Hasao, the Chief Executive Member Debojeet Thaosen inaugurated the District Inter school winter tournament central meet held at District Sports Association’s playground, Haflong on Friday.Speaking on the occasion Council Bakul Bodo, EM, DHAC, i/c medical and the Chief Guest Sri Debojeet Thaosen, CEM, DHAC stressed importance of sports along with the studies while appreciating the enthusiasm of the participants. They said ‘this was an indication that the peace was returning to the district gradually’. They also appealed to the...

Concern over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh

Expressing deep concern the ongoing disturbance in Bangladesh with massive destruction of Temples, gutting down of houses the different Hindu Temples, Religious organizations of Dima Hasao district of Assam have sought immediate intervention of the President of India for the solution thereafter.In this regards several different Hindu Temples, Religious organizations like Viswa Hundu parishad, haflong Branch, ISKON, Radharaman Sevak Sangha, Rastriya Sayamsevak Sanngh, Ramkrishna Seva Samity, Ram Thakur Seva samity, Satsang Vihar, Kali Bari, Bazar Kalibari, Jana Jagaran Manch, Okhondo Mandali, Sri Sri Jagganath bari,Govinda Mandir, Namghar, Gauriya Math,Lord Thangjing Temple, Hanuman Mandir...