Rail roko: Local train service unaffected in Maharashtra | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Rail roko: Local train service unaffected in Maharashtra

ByNaresh Kamath and Aroosa Ahmed
Feb 19, 2021 01:38 AM IST

The farmers staged agitations at places like Dahanu, Aurangabad and Parbhani. However, they were detained by the police and the rail traffic wasn’t disrupted for long

Farmers in Maharashtra continued their agitations on Thursday and resorted to ‘rail roko’ (rail blockade) stir across the state and tried to disrupt outstation train services to protest against the three farm laws enacted by the Centre.

Rail roko agitation in Haryana’s Sonipat. The rail services in Maharashtra were not disrupted for long. (PTI)
Rail roko agitation in Haryana’s Sonipat. The rail services in Maharashtra were not disrupted for long. (PTI)

One outstation train – the Aurangabad-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Janshatabdi Express – was blocked at Lasur railway station for 30 minutes around 10.05am. There were no other disruptions in the operation of outstation trains anywhere else in Maharashtra.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The protests did not have an impact on the functioning of Mumbai local trains either.

The farmers staged agitations at places such as Dahanu, Aurangabad and Parbhani before they were stopped by police personnel and detained.

“We staged a rail roko at Dahanu, Aurangabad and Parbhani and blocked the trains. Our farmers were taken into police custody. We will continue such agitations till the laws are repealed,” said Ajit Navale, general secretary, All India Kisan Sabha (Maharashtra).

In Dahanu, nearly 300 agitators reached the circulating area of the railway station. The city police blocked the entry of the agitators on the railway tracks.

“The protestors arrived at the circulating area on the west side of Dahanu railway station. They were protesting with the Communist Party of India (CPM) banners. There was no impact on train movements,” said Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the protesters are not farmers but workers of the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

“Farmers will never cause inconvenience to others. The protestors are Congress, NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and Shiv Sena workers and not farmers,” said BJP legislator Ram Kadam.

Also Read | Rail roko: Delhi Metro shuts entry, exit to four stations

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of 40 farm unions had given a call for a four-hour rail roko demonstration across the country on Thursday, as a part of their campaign to get the three farm laws repealed.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi since last November against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

In December, farmers from across Maharashtra had gathered in Mumbai to agitate against the three laws, in solidarity with the farmers protesting at Delhi borders.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On