Train stopped after bomb hoax, farmers allege police hand

Sriganganagar, Feb 22 (UNI) An Express train, carrying mostly farmers, was stopped at Hanumangarh region for three hours last night following an anonymous bomb hoax call.

However, farmers travelling in the train, which was on its way to Jaipur from here, alleged that it was deliberately done to stop them from attending today's indefinite rally (mahapadav) in the pink city.

Police said the Sriganganagar-Jaipur Express train was stopped at the Hanumangarh junction after an unidentified caller said bombs had been placed in two of its bogies.

Hanumangarh Railway police in-charge Surendra Singh Bhati said Hanumangarh SP Prem Singh Chudawat had received the information that there might be bombs in the train.

Student and Farmers' leader Rakesh Tholia alleged that the train was stopped to prevent farmers from attending the rally in Jaipur as the officials evaded queries from them.

Thousands of farmers will congregate in Jaipur to demand the release of their leaders arrested in Ganganagar last year over irrigation water dispute. At least 100 farmers were detained today at the rally.

UNI