Ranchi: The ‘Rail teka, dagar chheka (stop trains, block roads )’ agitation by the Kurmis on Saturday, seeking ST status for the community, gave a tough time to administrative officials as well as passengers. Owing to widespread protests in several pockets of the state, several trains were cancelled, short-terminated or diverted, even as thousands of passengers were stranded at various stations.The agitations were continuing at many places till the time of filing this report late in the night, even as talks were underway to end them. However, protesters at Tatisilwai on the outskirts of Ranchi withdrew their agitation at 8 pm, and it could be over in Muri soon, administrative sources said.Notably, the Kurmi community also demanded inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and a separate Sarna code for the tribals.Hundreds of bandh supporters, including men, women and elderly wearing yellow attire and carrying drums came to the railway tracks near Tatisilwai, Muri, BIT Mesra and Khalari stations in Ranchi district early in the morning. They also shouted slogans in support of their demands.Ajsu-P chief Sudesh Mahto also participated in the agitation at the Muri railway station. “This is a long battle that the Kurmis are fighting. The community is now united on the issue of ST status. There are some sections which are trying to misguide the community for their political gains. We are keeping a watch on them,” Mahto said.The protestors staged the dharna even as state forces, including the state police, RPF and GRP, who were present in good numbers at the stations, avoided using force.An RPF official deployed in Ranchi said, “No force was used in view of the large presence of protestors, including women and children. Local officials tried to persuade them to withdraw their agitation but failed. The agitation was peaceful.”Inspector general (operation) Michael Raj stated, “We identified around one dozen railway stations, including Chandrapura, Parasnath, Sonua, Muri and Barkakana, in the state as sensitive and deployed police along with magistrates. The police worked in coordination with RPF and GRP to ensure law and order. The control rooms were active at railway stations to keep a watch over the situation, while drones were also used for surveillance.”
