The Northeast Frontier Railway has resorted to massive cancellation/rescheduling/short-termination at least 40 trains, both long distance and locals services in response to security concerns over possible terrorist strike on railway property as raised by security agencies in the wake of Independence Day on August 15.
The NFR headquarter issued a statement informing that the trains had been cancelled, rescheduled or short-terminated due to security reasons.
It also informed that the derailment of a goods train that occurred in the main broad gauge line connecting the region to rest of the country between Fakiragram and Kokrajhar railway stations on Monday was also partly responsible for the inconvenience.
Security forces have geared up vigil on all railway property in the state apprehending that certain insurgent groups such as anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland and Adivasi ultras in western Assam and tribal militant groups in Karb Anglong hill district might be planning attacks on railway peoperty.
Adivasi People's Army terrorists triggered a bomb on railway tracks last month throwing several coaches of Puri Express out of the track near Rangiya junction in Assam, injuring over 100 passengers.
A powerful improvised explosive device was also recovered recently from a coach of Guwahati bound Kanchenjunga Express after the train's arrival.
A large number of passengers bound for various destinations within, and out the state have been stranded in various railway stations in the state because of the eleventh hour change of trains timings or cancellation.
Some passengers are stranded at the Guwahati railway station since Monday night in view of cancellation of Saraighat Express running between Guwahati and Kolkata.
Office-goers in central and western Assam have been severely affected by canellations of trains connecting Guwahati.
