Vandalism in Sealdah Stn,11 injured in lathi charge;trains halt

Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) Altogether 11 people were injured when railway police lathi charged a mob of passengers that went on a rampage at Sealdah station today in protest against suspension of suburban train services following arrest of two motormen.

Train services on three sections of Eastern Railways Sealdah division remained suspended for about five hours as a result of the incident.

According to railway sources, the trouble started after two motormen were arrested by the GRP on the complaint of a Magistrate who was denied entry into the driver's cabin in a local train.

Sources said Magistrate Mintu Mondol had ordered checking at the Lake Gardens station which was objected to by the two motormen of the local train. He then ordered their arrest.

At this, all the guards, motormen and train drivers launched an agitation bringing local train services to a halt in the three sections for hours.

While the Magistrate alleged misconduct by the driver and the guard, the Railway Employees Union said Mr Mondal was denied entry because of his refusal to prove his identity.

Agitated at the arrest of their colleague, the motormen gheraoed the office of the DRM causing disruption in train services. The stranded passengers in their turn ransacked the Station Master's office demanding restoration of normality.

In order to control the situation, the Government Railway Police lathi charged the mob as a large crowd that gathered in the station ran for cover.

The arrested motormen were, however, released later while train services resumed late in the afternoon.

EDS.Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI