Guwahati, Nov. 22: A group of 53 players from Assam, holed up in New Delhi after the mob violence on trains passing through Bihar, left Delhi under escort this morning. Though Assam Bhawan, where the players were put up since Thursday, confirmed their departure, they refused to divulge details because of security reasons.

Assam Bhawan official Pranati Gogoi said necessary precautions have been taken for the safety of the players during the journey. “Besides that I can’t say anything. I hope you will appreciate our problems,” she pleaded, given the fresh round of killings on Saturday morning in Tinsukia.

Sources in Assam Bhawan, however, said the players left for Delhi station to board the Avadh-Assam Express for Guwahati and an official request has been sent to the railway authorities to ensure a peaceful journey.

The sportspersons from Assam has gone to Hardwar to participate in the three-day national inter-district championship from November 15. They were stranded initially in Hardwar and then in New Delhi following the unrest.

Rajib Sen, manager of the Nagaon athletics team, told The Telegraph from Assam Bhawan in New Delhi that Dispur has made special arrangements to send the players home. “A special coach is being arranged in the Avadh-Assam Express to send us to Guwahati under security because of the ongoing unrest. The resident commissioner of Assam Bhawan, Rajiv Yadav, has taken the initiative,” he said. Sen was one of the Brahmaputra mail passengers attacked by mobs in Jamalpur on November 12.

“I will be lying if I say we are not scared. We had our reservations on the Avadh-Assam Express yesterday but cancelled it because of the underlying tension in New Delhi station where we spent close to two days after our arrival from Hardwar. Thanks to the initiative of a journalist from Assam we shifted to the Assam Bhawan last night. However, some teams from places like Nazira have left for home,” he added.

The 15-member Nagaon team, which was assaulted by a 500-strong mob, had few heart-warming tales to narrate. Recounting the team’s ordeal, Sen said, “The mob did not spare anyone. It was a random attack, but we were lucky that the girls were not harmed. Bihari passengers saved us. We have experienced everything on this unforgettable journey. Now we hope to reach home safely.”

The team is expected to arrive tomorrow morning.

Guwahati’s sports fraternity had demanded on Wednesday that the governments of Assam and Bihar provide safe passage to athletes from the state. Over 250 sportspersons, representing several state associations, assembled at the R.G. Baruah Sports Complex protesting against the assault on train passengers from Assam in Bihar on November 12.

They also sought protection of the players travelling to other states for various national tournaments.