After Gurjar mahapanchayat, protesters block tracks in Rajasthan; 12+ trains delayed despite govt nod to 5% MBC reservation
JAIPUR/ALWAR: Disgruntled elements who participated in the Gurjar mahapanchayat, called by Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti convenor Vijay Bainsla in Bharatpur's Peelupura Sunday, damaged railway tracks and halted the Kota-Mathura passenger train on the busy Delhi-Mumbai line.
The two-hour disruption, which had a cascading effect on the movement of over 12 trains scheduled on the line, was unleashed by an unruly group of youths after Bainsla called off the mahapanchayat following the Rajasthan govt's acceptance of the community's charter of demands, including one to include the 5% MBC reservation in the 9th Schedule.
"We are happy with the govt's statement today. For the first time, the state govt has decided to approve the inclusion of the 5% MBC quota in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution in the state cabinet.
Once it is approved in the state cabinet, the govt will send it to the Centre for further processing. We thank the chief minister for this," Bainsla told TOI.
Angry Gurjar youths, who demanded immediate action from the govt, however, blocked the busy Delhi-Mumbai railway line for over two hours, from 4:30 pm, damaging about one km of the tracks about 150 meters away from the site of the mahapanchayat.
As a result of the protests, Avadh Express that runs from Bandra Terminus to Barauni Junction in Bihar was halted at Fateh Singhpura station, while Saugor-Nizamuddin train was stopped at Sawai Madhopur station.
As protests started to spread, IG Bharatpur zone, district collector, and SP arrived at the scene and persuaded the protesters to vacate the area, managing to clear the track by 6:30 pm. "The halted train departed after a team of DRM Kota repaired the tracks. All the protesters dispersed. I spoke to a few remaining protesters at the spot who have also been dispersed," said Rahul Prakash, IG Bharatpur Range. Prakash said rail movement was restored on the Delhi-Mumbai route via Karwadi-Pillu Ka Pura route on the Bayana section.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Kota division of West Central Railways (WCR), Sourabh Jain, said, "We were informed at 4:33 pm on Sunday that some people moved on to sit on the railway track between Fateh Singh Pura and Dumariya Stations near Pillu Ka Pura. The train no. 54794 Mathura-Sawaimadhopur fast passenger train was halted in the section." "In coordination with State Police and Railways, the people on the track were removed at 6:46 pm through convincing and pursual.
The 54794 passenger train has departed from the halt, and other trains have also resumed on track. In the entire episode, around 10-12 trains suffered delays," he added.
Sunday's mahapanchayat was called despite the Rajasthan govt, through home minister Jawahar Singh Bedam, conveying that it would address the demands raised by the community, including full benefits of 5% reservation in govt jobs and education for most backward classes (MBCs).
Bainsla read out the govt draft to the community members, after which it was unanimously agreed to call off the mahapanchayat. However, several community members opposed the govt draft and decided to block the railway tracks. Following the protest, Bainsla and other committee members left the venue, after which angry youths decided to move their protests to the rail tracks.
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