Commuters in trouble due to indefinite rail and road blockade by tribal Kurmi community. On the one hand, several trains of Howrah and Adra division were canceled due to their agitation. Many train journeys have been shortened. Even, the residents of Purulia, Kharagpur and Medinipur have been harassed since Wednesday morning due to the blockade of the national highway.Meanwhile, the tribals appeared at Kustaur station in Purulia on Tuesday night with arrows and bows and dhamsa and madal. People belonging to the Kurmi community started the movement from five o’clock in the morning. This program has been named ‘Relteka and Dohar Chenka’. According to railway sources, 49 trains have been canceled due to Kurmi Samaj’s protest programme.
Among the express trains that have been canceled are Tata-Howrah Steel Express, Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi, Howrah-Ranchi Intercity Express, Hatia-Kharagpup Express, Howrah-Ghatshila MEMU Express. 11 trains are plying on alternative routes besides several express, Memu special canceled on South Eastern Railway. Routes of 10 trains have been shortened.
Regarding the movement, tribal Kurmi society said that it is a fight for their language, culture and religion. Give moral support to this fight. This time no more negotiations, promises will work. They have also announced that this movement will continue until their demands are met.
Ajitprasad Mahatore, the head of the Kurmi Samaj, said, “Our only demand is to list the tribals. Why is the comment on the CRI report not being sent? The state government should send it and give us a copy. We will withdraw the programme.” Purulia Zila Parishad President Sujoy Banerjee said, “Keeping in mind the festival and the suffering of the common people, we have requested to withdraw this program.Peaceful movement can continue for demands. But our party will not accept the movement by disrupting public life in this way. Even the common people of Jangalmahal are not accepting.”
Common people are very angry with their indefinite program of rail and road blockade in the run up to New Year and Eid. Aam Janata Sarab of Jangalmahal with this program in the face of the festival. Incidentally, the tribal Kurmi Samaj started rail and road blockade from September 20 on the eve of Durga Puja on almost the same issue last year.
