Assam urges Bihar, Bengal to ensure truck movement

Alarmed by Bihar transporters' reported decision to boycott Assam, the state's chief secy has written to his Bihar and Bengal counterparts to ensure there was no disruption.

Alarmed over a reported decision by Bihar Motor Transport Federation to block movement of trucks carrying essentials to Assam in the wake of anti-Bihari violence, the state's chief secretary has written to his Bihar and West Bengal counterparts to ensure there was no disruption.

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Chief Secretary JP Rajkhowa wrote to his counterparts requesting them to take appropriate steps to avert the proposed blockade which could cause serious "repercussions" in the state.

He outlined the security measures taken for the truckers at the entry points at Srirampur and Chagalia check gates in Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts respectively.

The government, Rajkhowa said, had provided police escort to convoy of trucks and district superintendents of police and magistrates had been asked to arrange unloading of incoming trucks.

He said the labourers in the loading and unloading yards, who were mostly Biharis, had been given full protection.

The chief secretary said disruption of truck movement would adversely affect large numbers of Hindi-speaking people as they earn livelihood from this profession.

Rajkhowa also urged his West Bengal counterpart to deal sternly with the proposed threat by labour unions to stop movement of trucks on grounds of attack on drivers in the state.