A total of 20 train services have regrettably been cancelled, and 47 others have been redirected within the purview of the South Eastern Railways (SER) and East Coast Railways (ECoR) in the states of Jharkhand and Odisha. This unfortunate disruption was necessitated due to the Kurmi community's announcement of an indefinite railway blockade across three states commencing on Wednesday.
The primary demands driving this protest movement include the aspiration for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution. Multiple Kurmi organizations have jointly called for this extensive railway blockade, targeting nine railway stations located in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, with significant implications for rail services across these regions.
Sheetal Ohdar, serving as the president of the Totemik Kurmi Vikas Morcha (TKVM), a prominent organization based in Jharkhand, disclosed that the railway blockade will be strategically enacted at four distinct locations within the state. These locations encompass Gomoh, falling under the Dhanbad rail division; Muri, situated within the Ranchi rail division; Nimdih, within the Adra rail division; and Ghaghara, under the jurisdiction of the Chakradharpur rail division.
In the state of West Bengal, the blockade action will be staged in Khemasuli and Kustaur. Similarly, in Odisha, the protest will unfold in Harichandanpur, Jaraikela, and Dhanpur, as elaborated by Ohdar.
To ensure the safe and orderly conduct of these protests, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Ranchi division informed India Today that a substantial deployment of Railway Police Force personnel has been organized at pivotal railway stations. Furthermore, the Railways administration has sought the assistance of the Jharkhand state government to maintain law and order during these trying circumstances.
Highlighting the depth of commitment to this cause, Sheetal Ohdar expressed that thousands of Kurmi community members intend to participate in these protests, donning traditional attire as a symbol of their solidarity.
It's worth noting that a similar railway blockade protest was conducted by the Kurmi community on September 20 last year, spanning a duration of five days.
