Opposition MLAs join Kurmi stir in Bokaro

Bokaro: Opposition lawmakers from the Kurmi community took part in the demonstrations at the railway tracks to press for ST status as the ‘Rail Teka, Dagar Cheka’ protests paralyzed railway movement in Bokaro and affected hundreds of passengers.As passengers remained stranded at stations, demonstrators descended on to the tracks at Chandrapura and Jageshwar Vihar stations in hordes. Giridih MP Chandraprakash Choudhary (AJSU-P), Dumri MLA Jairam Mahto (JLKM), and former MLA Lambodar Mahto (AJSU-P), joined demonstrators at Chandrapura station and sat on the tracks in support of the demand.Choudhary, who scaled a railway engine with his supporters, threatened that the stir would intensify if the state govt did not send a proposal to the Centre seeking inclusion of the community into the list of scheduled tribes.Vikas Kumar, senior divisional commercial manager of Adra rail division, said several trains were diverted through the Telgadia line. The Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express was short-terminated at Bokaro, the Ranchi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express was cancelled.Passengers in many express trains had a harrowing time as water and food ran out.