Police-public clash at Bamra station; RPF resorts to mild lathi-charge

The ongoing protests demanding stoppage of some trains at the Bamra Railway Station on Thursday took a violent turn after a clash erupted between the agitators and police. Even though the Chakradharpur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) ordered for stopping of the trains at the station, the clash erupted soon after the senior official left the spot following discussions.

A scuffle broke out after police tried to clear the agitators from the station premises. The scuffle led to a clash between the agitators and police. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) resorted to mild-lathicharge to disperse the mob which went berserk and pelted stones.

“If we continue to stop trains, it will cause inconvenience to passengers. Despite assurances, protests continued. We had to cancel and divert 50 express trains which caused problems to nearly 1 lakh passengers yesterday. We had appealed the agitators to clear the venue so that the movement of trains can be restored,” the DRM said.

Some police vehicles have been damaged in the alleged stone pelting by the mob. Earlier, agitators had staged a demonstration and even locked the ticket counter and signal room at the station. Yesterday, locals had staged a ‘rail roko’ agitation demanding halt of express trains at Bamra Railway Station.

(Reported by Devendra Behera)