Kurmi agitation disrupts South Eastern Railway train services

PINAKI MAJUMDAR

Jamshedpur, Sept 20: Train services of South Eastern Railway (SER) were partially disrupted on Saturday due to an ongoing agitation by the Kurmi Adivasi Samaj.

Protesters blocked railway tracks at several locations, affecting both passenger and express train operations.

According to SER’s bulletin issued this morning, the agitation was staged at Bhanjpur station of Kharagpur division from 5:02 am to 5:35 am, while protests are still continuing between Sini and Birbans in Chakradharpur division.

Agitation in Dhanbad division of East Central Railway has also led to regulation of trains within SER’s jurisdiction.

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Railways clarified that the reasons for the protest are not related to the department but have nevertheless impacted services across Jharkhand, West Bengal and adjoining regions.

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Train Cancellations

13504 Hatia–Barddhaman MEMU

68019/68020 Tatanagar–Gua–Tatanagar MEMU

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68003/68004 Tatanagar–Gua–Tatanagar MEMU

Diversion

18013 Adra–Bokaro Steel City Express (via Bhojudih–Talgaria–Chas–Bandhdih)

Short Termination/Origination

13320 Ranchi–Dumka Express short-originated from Barakar

Trains Controlled 

20887 Ranchi–Varanasi Vande Bharat at Bokaro Steel City

20893 Tatanagar–Patna Vande Bharat at Muri

18626 Hatia–Purnia Court Express

13352 Alappuzha–Dhanbad Express at Ranchi

Railway officials said efforts are on to normalize services, but disruption is likely to continue as the agitation intensifies.

The Kurmi community has launched protests demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and inclusion in the Constitution’s list of tribes. Several organizations under the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj have called for road and rail blockades in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Administrative authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in sensitive areas to prevent law and order issues.