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I-Day threat: Night trains suspended in North East

August 13, 2010 08:02 IST

Train services in the night in North East India have been suspended ahead of the Independence Day.

The Railways has taken the decision in view of the general strike and boycott call given by as many as six outlawed insurgents groups in the troubled region.

Northeast Frontier Railway headquarters in Guwahati informed that there will be no night running of trains in the region from August 14 evening till the morning of August 17. About 26 trains will remain cancelled for the period.

Security agencies have urged the Railways to take precautionary measures in view of the looming threat from the ultras, who may strike terror on or before Independence Day.

Six militants outfits, including the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, National Democratic Front of Bodoland, Revolutionary People Front of Manipur, Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, Manipur People Liberation Front and the National Liberation Front of Tripura have called for general strike from August 14 night till evening of August 15 against the celebration of Independence Day in the region.

Security sources informed that besides the ULFA and the NDFB, some fundamentalist outfits could also strike terror in Assam in and around Independence Day.

Pillion riding on two-wheelers has been banned in Assam as militants have often in the past used two-wheelers for hit-and-run operations in the state.

K Anurag in Guwahati