Blockade lifted in Rourkela

Rourkela: The agitation involving rail blockade by Adivasi and Mulabasi Manch (AMBM) in this steel city against the state government's decision to upgrade Rourkela Municipality to a corporation was withdrawan today following talks with the administration.

Negotiation was held with the agitators who agreed to end their stir after being assured that a meeting would be arranged with Housing and Urban Development department to resolve the issue, said Additional District Magistrate (ADM), K S Chakravorthy.

"We listened to their grievances regarding the decison to form a municipal corporation in Rourkela and explained our position. Finally they withdrew the stir," the ADM said.

The blockade, which had started yesterday, affected normal life due to closure of shops and business outfits in some areas and disruption of train services as the agitators squatted trakck on the busy Mumbai-Howrah route.

While road traffic including movement of vehicles on NH 143 at Vedvyas remained unaffected, the protesters blocked rail movement leading to cancellation of some trains and diversion of over a dozen trains, railway officials said.