Kurmi Organizations Call Off Rail Blockade, Trains Revert to Scheduled Routes

Kolkata: Trains in parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha will resume their scheduled routes as an indefinite rail blockade organized by Kurmi organizations has been called off. This development follows the withdrawal of the Kurmi Samaj agitation, which had prompted precautionary measures.

As a precaution, 11 trains were cancelled and 12 others were diverted on Tuesday under the jurisdiction of the South Eastern Railway (SER) and East Coast Railway (ECoR) in Jharkhand and Odisha. However, these disruptions are now being reversed in light of the rail blockade’s cancellation.

According to Nishant Kumar, Chief Public Relation Officer of Ranchi Railway Division, “All the trains that were earlier cancelled or diverted are being restored on their normal routes as per the directive of the headquarters.”

The decision to call off the indefinite rail blockade by the Kurmis was attributed to the alleged harassment of senior leaders by the police. Further deliberations on the course of action will take place on September 30 in Purulia, West Bengal.

However, Sheetal Ohdar, President of Totemik Kurmi Vikas Morcha (TKVM) in Jharkhand, indicated that their agitation would continue from Wednesday.

The Kurmi organizations had initiated the indefinite railway blockade at nine stations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Their demands included seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the community and the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

Ohdar also urged the community’s MPs to raise these demands during the ongoing special session of Parliament. The railway blockade was initially planned at stations in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, including Muri, Gomoh, Nimdih, Ghagra, Khemasuli, Kustaur, Harichandanpur, Jaraikela, and Dhanpur.