Ranchi, September 20: The Kurmi community in Jharkhand launched a large-scale rail blockade on Saturday, to press for their long-standing demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list. Called by the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj Manch, the protest began in the early hours and quickly spread to several districts, bringing railway operations to a halt across the state.
From about 4:00 a.m., thousands of demonstrators carrying flags have occupied tracks and platforms in Kurmi-dominated areas of the state. At Ranchi Railway Station, large numbers of protesters sat on the tracks, while similar gatherings also formed near Muri Station. Smaller stations across Bokaro, Ranchi, Giridih and Jamshedpur also saw crowds descend onto the lines, blocking movement and creating widespread disruption.
The blockade has affected multiple railway divisions. In Seraikela, members of the community blocked the tracks at Sini station in the Chakradharpur division, demanding recognition as a tribal community. At Chandrapura, the protest was especially intense as protestors began assembling at around 5:00 a.m., moved onto the tracks after 6:00 a.m., and stopped both passenger and freight services.
Several passenger services were brought to a standstill in and around Chandrapura Junction including the Gomoh–Chopan Passenger at 6:05 a.m., the New Delhi–Ranchi Rajdhani Express (20839) at 6:15 a.m., and the Ranchi–Darbhanga service on the outer line. Many trains remained stationary until at least 9:00 a.m., leaving passengers stranded.
Many services have either been cancelled or rescheduled due to the agitation. Train No. 13504 Hatia–Bardhaman MEMU Express and Train No. 18036 Hatia–Kharagpur MEMU have been
Cancelled for Saturday. On the other hand, the Dhanbad–Alappuzha Express (13351) was rescheduled to depart at 18:35 instead of its scheduled 11:35 departure, and the Ranchi–Chhapra Express (18613) has been diverted to run via the Ranchi–Tori route in place of the usual Ranchi–Muri–Barkakana route. At Hensalong, the Barkakhana–Tata passenger was stopped at the Odia Gate.
Though the Railway Police had attempted to contain the movement by erecting barricades late into the night in several Kurmi-dominated localities however, these measures had little effect in preventing protesters from reaching stations.
The protest also drew political support as AJSU Party general secretary and Ichagarh NDA candidate Harelal Mahato joined demonstrators on the tracks while JLKM chief and MLA Jairam Mahto posted a video backing the agitation, saying the protest also raised issues of respect for the Kurmali language and protection of land rights.
Overall, the rail blockade has caused massive inconvenience to passengers across Jharkhand and situation is likely to worsen in the coming hours.
