Kurmi community members continue 'Rail Roko' protest over demand for ST status; train services affected in WB

Members of the Kurmi community on September 20, 2022 blocked railway tracks in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.

TN National Desk

Updated Sep 21, 2022, 15:07 IST

Kurmi community protesting in Purulia

Photo : ANI

Purulia: Train services continue to remain affected in West Bengal as members of the Kurmi community blocked railway tracks in various parts demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Train services were affected in South Eastern Railway due to the blockade of the rail routes in Kharagpur, Khemasuli, and Purulia.

People from the Kurmi tribal community continued with their 'Rail Roko' protest over the demand for Scheduled Tribes status in Purulia, West Bengal, ANI reported.

The stir was also held to press for inclusion of Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

The Indian Railways informed that the agitation by Kurmi tribal community is still continuing at Kastaur and Khemasuli stations in West Bengal. Railways further informed that 53 trains were cancelled, 33 trains short terminated, 40 trains and 2 trains rescheduled and scheduled for today.

The community members staged protest at Kustaur and Nimdih stations in Adra division, Khemasuli and Bhanjpur stations in Kharagpur division and Aunlajori station in Chakradharpur division, severely affecting the rail services on Tuesday.

Several trains, including Tatanagar-Howrah-Tatanagar Steel Express, 12021/12022 Howrah-Barbil-Howrah Janshatabdi Express, 22861 Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabhanji Ispat Express, 13512/13511 Asansol-Tatanagar-Asansol Express, 18183 Tatanagar-Danapur Express, 18033/18034 Howrah-Ghatsila-Howrah Express, 18615 Howrah-Hatia Kriya Yoga Express and 22906 Shalimar - Okha Express were cancelled on September 20.

13288 Rajendranagar-Durg Express, 18011 Howrah-Chakradharpur Express, 12262 Howrah-Mumbai CSMT Duronto Express, 12130 Howrah-Pune Azad Hind Express, 22905 Porbandar-Shalimar Express, 12801 Puri-New Delhi Express, 12809 Mumbai CSMT-Howrah Mail, 15930 New Tinsukia-Tambaram Express, 18029 Mumbai LTT-Shalimar Express, 12833 Ahmedabad-Howrah Express, 12859 Mumbai CSMT-Howrah Express and 22823 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Express were diverted on Tuesday owing to the agitation.

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