<img width="0" height="0" border="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden;" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20121104010112im_/http://timeslog.indiatimes.com/timeslog.dll/topcnt?CHUR=articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com&amp;nojs=1">
The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20121104010112/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-09/guwahati/28188207_1_railway-ministry-station-meter-gauge-line

Silchar rly station to be renamed soon

TNN Jun 9, 2009, 05.02am IST

SILCHAR: The Centre has agreed to rename Silchar railway station, one of the oldest in the region, as Language Martyrs' station soon. Barak Upatyaka Sanmilita Sanskritik Manch, an umbrella organization of 20 social organizations, claimed that both the PMO and railway ministry have assured them about it.

Besides, the Silchar-Agartala Link Express will also be re-christened as Language Martyrs Express (Bhasa Sahid Express).

"Both the PMO and the railway ministry have assured us that necessary announcements will be made in the railway Budget to be presented by Mamata Banerjee on July 1," said Barak Upatyaka Sanmilita Sanskritik Manch covener Rajiv Kar from New Delhi.

There were protests in Bengali-dominated Barak Valley when the state government passed a circular in 1961 to make Assamese mandatory in the curriculum of Secondary Education Board, Assam (Seba).

On May 19, 1961, police opened fire on protesters at Silchar railway station in which 11 people died. After the agitation, the state government withdrew the circular and Bengali was ultimately given official status in the three districts of Barak Valley. The Assam-Bengal Railway brought Silchar into the Indian railway map in 1899 and the station is considered as one of the oldest in the North-East.

Built by the British, the meter gauge line from Lumding to Silchar is hailed as one of the most exciting railway tracks of the country until Dimasa militants took North Cachar Hills to ransom.

Recently, chief minister Tarun Gogoi gave his consent to the petition of thousands of people of Barak Valley for changing the name of Silchar railway station.

Gogoi said he respected the sentiments of the people of Barak Valley and assured that the state government would do its best to fulfil their wish.

He had also forwarded the petition to the then railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in July last year.

The Tripura government also gave its consent to the railway ministry to rename the Silchar-Agartala Link Express as Language Martyrs' Express, sources added.

IN-DEPTH COVERAGE
|