Women passengers block rail tracks over Ladies Special train in West Bengal

BARASAT: Women passengers today blocked tracks in five railway stations demanding reconverting a modified ladies special train for women only.

The rail tracks were blocked for 1-2 hours from 10 AM at Madhyamgram, Duttapukur, Birati, Bamangachhi and Hridaypur railway stations on the Sealdah-Krishnagar section of Eastern Railway, Railway spokesman Rabi Mahapatra said.

Later GRP persuaded the agitators to withdraw the blockade, he said, adding, protests were still continuing in Birati railway station.

The Railways had on August 15 notified three coaches as 'General' in the Barasat-Sealdah Matribhumi Ladies Special for inadequate number of women passengers for the entire train.

This had triggered brickbatting by two groups of passengers at Kharda railway station which left six GRP and policemen injured when they tried to intervene on August 17.