Kudmi Samaj’s Rail-Roko Stir from Today May Cripple Train Services; SER on High Alert
Balasore, Sept 20 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): The Adivasi Kudmi Samaj has called for an indefinite rail and road blockade from 5 am today at several stations under South Eastern Railway (SER), pressing their demand for early inclusion of the Kudmi community in the Scheduled Tribe list.
Though the demands are not related to railway matters, the agitation is expected to paralyse train services across Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. SER authorities have cautioned that disruptions will hit both passenger and freight movement, causing shortages of essential commodities including coal, food grains, petroleum products, fertilizers, and medical supplies. The blockade is also expected to inflict heavy financial losses on the Railways.
Earlier agitations by Kudmi Samaj have caused widespread inconvenience to passengers. Taking note of the proposed protest, the Calcutta High Court has directed the Bengal government and Indian Railways to ensure smooth road and rail traffic during the agitation.
In anticipation of the blockade, SER has stepped up security and coordination with state administrations. Additional RPF and GRP forces have been deployed at 52 identified sensitive protest sites. Quick Reaction Teams have been formed to deal with unlawful obstructions, while divisional headquarters are operating emergency control rooms round the clock. Social media is being closely monitored for advance intelligence, and patrolling of tracks, stations, and railway yards has been intensified.
Public appeals are also being made to discourage villagers and others from joining the blockade. SER has warned that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is empowered to take strict legal action, including arrests and prosecution.
The Railway authority reiterated that while the right to protest is respected, blocking trains for non-railway issues undermines the lifeline of passenger and goods movement in the region.
