Protesters defy Jat body, block trains

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Ramayan (Hisar), February 26

A group of young protesters today defied the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), spearheading the Jat agitation, and disrupted rail traffic near the protest site in Ramayan village on the Hisar-Jaipur rail section of Bikaner division.

Tension prevailed during the hour-long deadlock, which ended after local authorities and samiti activists prevailed upon the protesters to clear the tracks. Two trains — Jaipur-Hisar passenger and Gorakhdham Express — were delayed for two hours due to the blockade.

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The samiti distanced itself from the “disruptive” elements and alleged they could have been sent by the government to disrupt the peaceful agitation.

“We urge the authorities to identify these youths, as most were wearing black masks, and take action against those who created a ruckus on the tracks,” said samiti leader Rambhagat Malik.

The incident occurred when the manned crossing, located 100 metres from the dharna site, was closed for passage of a goods train from Hisar to Bhiwani at 1 pm. A group of protesters forcibly tried to open the boom barriers to reach the dharna site.

Sensing trouble, the railway employees alerted the driver, who halted the train 500 metres from the site. The protesters broke the boom barriers and blocked the tracks. The train was sent back to Hisar. 

Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Gajraj and Superintendent of Police P Rajender Meena visited the spot and got the rail services resumed. Later, Inspector General of Police OP Singh reviewed the situation.

The DC said the railway and police authorities would take action against those who damaged railway property and disrupted rail services.

Samiti leaders Malik and Krishan Kirmana later approached the DC to clarify that the protesters were not their members.