AGARTALA, Aug 4: Left-backed student and youth organizations DYFI, SFI, TYF and TSU held demonstrations in all 13 railway stations of Tripura, protesting the latest announcement of the Centre regarding railway development in the Northeast.The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Tribal Youth Federation (TYF) and Tribal Students’ Union (TSU) yesterday lashed out at Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that she had deprived the region in her maiden budget as well as in the subsequent announcement of the Railway Ministry of extending the completion period of as many as 16 major railway projects in Northeast.The organizations forwarded a memorandum to Banerjee and the Railway Board Chairman demanding completion of the railway projects as scheduled earlier and threatened to launch movement against the lethargic attitude of the Centre against Northeast. They pointed out that the Tripura government had been providing about 15 per cent of the total cost for the railway extension and to upgrade, besides assuring security for safe movement of trains in the State, but the ministry has extended the completion work of the projects without any valid reason. "It is most unfortunate that the ministry has suddenly extended the time of completion without showing any reason, which reflects the Centre’s apathy towards Northeast," DYFI State chief Tapas Datta said.He urged the ministry to complete the task within the stipulated timeframe and take initiative in coordinating with Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Asom Government and pointed out that there was no reason to delay the projects in Tripura at least. He also demanded early extension of railway link up to Sabroom in the southernmost point of Tripura and demanded for ensure the growth of railway network in the State. He reiterated the demand for deployment of sufficient security forces in insurgency-prone North Cachar Hills district of Asom to ensure the restoration of smooth train services between Lumding and Agartala. Earlier, Tripura Transport Minister Manik Dey, in his latest letter to Banerjee, said the State had been facing difficulties in transporting essential commodities, including rice and fuel, which led to scarcity in stocks frequently.Referring to the Northeast Frontier Railway officials’ view regarding train movement in trouble-torn hill section of south Asom, Dey underlined that lack of adequate security was impeding the progress of gauge conversion from Lumding to Badarpur which was adversely affecting Tripura. (Agencies)
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