WB: Policemen injured in clash at Habra station, train service disrupted

Demanding the addition of general compartments in ladies-only Matribhoomi Local, male commuters blocked rail-line at few railway stations including Gobordanga, Duttapukur, Maslandapur and Ashoknagar Road in the district.

Meanwhile, for some other issues, local people blocked rail-line at Bira station in the same district.

Due to blockades, train service on the  Sealdah-Bongaon branch was completely disrupted.

When Sealdah- bound Matribhoomi local arrived at Habra station, male commuters stopped the train and started rail-road blockade there. They also vandalized the ladies special train.

When a huge police force was deployed  to control the situation, protesters threw stones at law keepers.

One photojournalist and few policemen, including the sub-inspector of Habra Police Station Nandan Mondal, were injured during the clash.

Few protesters were also injured when the police lathi-charged them to control the situation.

More police force, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and combat force, were deployed to bring the situation under control.

The chief public relations officer (CPRO) of Eastern railway, Ravi Mahapatra told IBNS: "Demanding the addition of general coaches, men commuters had blocked rail-road in several locations today from 7:55 am. Train service in Sealdah-Bongaon branch was disrupted. We had to cancel few pairs of local trains in the section. But almost all blockades have been withdrawn and the rail service is becoming normal."

"After discussing with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, railway minister Suresh Prabhu has decided not to add general compartments in Matribhoomi local. The train will be ladies-only as it was before. His decision is final. There is no need to rethink about this matter. We are requesting the protesters not to protest or block rail lines. Many commuters have to suffer for it."

An official statement read: "Passengers are requested by an Eastern Railways press release not to obstruct train movements causing trouble to innumerable passengers and to help Railways to run the services smoothly. Damaging Railway property will not help the situation, rather worsening the situation which will not be in the interest of any one."

All blockades have been lifted.

Meanwhile, on the Matribhoomi local issue, men and women commuters engaged in a clash with each other and with the police at Khardah station in North 24 Parganas district on Aug 19.

Protesters also blocked rail-line at several stations including Khardah, Bamangachi and Kanchrapara on that day and train service in Sealdah main line was disrupted for hours.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)