JVM leaders block goods train movement on Howrah-Mumbai route

The railways have banned the running of passenger trains from 11 pm to 5 am between Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Rourkela stations since the Jnaneshwari Express mishap, which claimed around 150 passengers near Jhargram in West Bengal on May 28 last year.
Hundreds of JVM activists, led by their senior leaders, have been squatting on tracks across mineral-rich Kolhan region, comprising East and West Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharswan district, since morning to prevent movement of goods trains.

Railway officials said Howrah-Ahmedabad Express and Tata-Chakradharpur passenger trains were left stranded at Rajkharswan station and Chakradharpur stations respectively for sometime due to the agitation.

A goods train was also blocked by JVM activists at Tatanagar station while the blockade supporters did not allow goods trains to pass through Chakulia station, former Jharkhand Health Minister Dinesh Sarangi, who himself was squatting at Chakulia, told PTI.

While Abhay Singh, secretary of JVM central committee, was leading the agitation at Tatanagar station, Deputy leader of the party in the state Assembly Arvind Kumar Singh squatted at Adityapur station under Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway, party sources said.

"The motive behind the agitation was to draw the attention of the union and state governments as well as railways towards the difficulties being faced by the common people due to banning on movement of passenger trains during nights for the last 15 months," Abhay Singh said.

JVM workers have been protesting at Tatanagar, Goilkera, Chakradharpur, Manoharpur and Rajkharswan stations under Chakradharpur division of S E Rly while Ghatsila, Dalbhumgarh and Chakulia station under Kharagpur division.

Meanwhile, Railways have made elaborate security arrangements to meet any eventuality during the blockade even though JVM has assured that they would not disrupt movement of passengers trains.