Train services disrupted due to protests

KOLKATA: Train services were disrupted on the Asansol-Jhajha section of Eastern Railways today after a group of around 4000 supporters of Melar Adim Janajati Sangram Morcha (MAJSM) obstructed train movement between Kaseetar and Jamtara stations demanding inclusion in Scheduled Tribe category.

Five Mail/Express trains including Amritsar-Howrah Express, Sitamarhi-Kolkata Express and Dn Bagh Express and two Passenger trains have been detained en-route since morning, Eastern Railway said in a release.

Two passenger trains had to be cancelled while two others had to be short terminated at Asansol, it said, adding Poorva Express was being diverted via Dhanbad and Gaya.

Similar obstruction was held near Pakur station on Eastern Railway's Howrah division from 9:12 AM, resulting in one Express train and three passenger trains being detaining en route, the release said.

A report from Pakur said that led by its President Manik Rai, MAJSM activists, including large number of women with traditional weapons squatted on the rail track at Pakur station to pressurize the government in support of their demand to enlist Bhuiyan, Ghatwar, Khetori and other, currently under OBC category, into ST category.

Block Development Officer, Pakur, Sanjeev Kumar, Officer In-charge of Muffasil police station R K Minz had arrived at the spot to persuade the Morcha activists to lift the agitation.

Two Express trains - Kanchenjunga Express and Dn New Jalpaiguri -- Howrah Shatabdi Express have been diverted through Gosaigaon-Poradanga route, it stated.