South Eastern Railway on Monday cancelled 15 long-distance trains after 16 hours of ‘rail-roko’ protest called by a tribal organisation — Bharat Zakat Majhi Pargana Mahal — in Medinipur district of West Bengal. Other than the protest, incidents of violence have also been reported, with cases of rampage and setting afire a bike parked in a station.
The organisation had called for an indefinite strike on Monday and due to this several trains plying to and fro from Howrah station were cancelled. The protesters have been demanding for recognition of Santhal language at the University level. Along with that, they have sought recruitment of Santhal teachers and books related to the language.
Asked the reason for the protest, Santhal leader Robin Tundu said, as quoted by Anandbazaar Patrika, “Though Santhal language has started at the school level, but neither there are teachers nor books. We have complained to the state government numerous times, but all efforts went in vain. So we have protested today.”
As per the report, the protest took place at numerous place in tribal belts of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. There are indications that the protest might continue on Tuesday too.
Due to the protest, the South Eastern Railway have to cancel 15 long distance trains and several other local trains. Among the trains cancelled include — Howrah-Mumbai Gitanjali Express, Howrah-Chennai Coromandal Express, Howrah-Kanyakumari Express, Howrah-Yeshvantpur Express, Howrah-Pune Azad Hind Express, Howrah-LTT Jyaneshwari Express, Howrah-Puri Express, Howrah-Vasco Amravati Express, Howrah-Chennai Mail, Howrah-Ahmedabad Express, Howrah-Hatia Express, Howrah-Jagdalpur Express, Sealdah-Puri Duronto Express, Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express and many others.
Asked what Indian Railways doing to tackle this situation, CPRO of South Eastern Railway Sanjay Ghosh said, as quoted by the daily, “This type of situation never took place before. It’s been 16-hours that there has been no communication. Can’t say when this will end.” He was of the opinion that maintaining law and order situation is a state issue. Ghosh Said, “Railways cannot do anything on this. We have sought help from the state government and they have assured us that they are looking at the solving the issue.”
Protests were intensified in the areas of Salboni in West Medinipore and Jhargram. Since morning senior administrative officials tried to talk with the leaders to sort out issues, but till now nothing concrete has come out. Officials including Deputy Commissioner and Block Development Officer have even requested the tribal leaders to help in plying of the trains. As per to the last report, the leaders of Bharat Zakat Majhi Pargana Mahal have sat for meeting and based on the discussions, a final decision will be disseminated.
ALSO READ: Bharat Bandh: Congress leaders block rail traffic in Maharashtra