Rail line broken, rail traffic affected as protestors block route

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, June 2 (UNI) Agitation of Gujjars in support of granting 'ST' status to their brethen in Rajasthan, entered its fifth day today with protestors destroying rail line at Dhankor Railway station near Greater Noida and blocking rail traffic at several stations.

The demonstrators sat on a 'dharna' at Dhankor station, which falls in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, since 0800 hrs this morning and blocked all rail movement affecting over a dozen trains on the Delhi-Howrah route, according to official sources.

Later, at about 1030 hrs they destroyed a three-metre long patch of a rail line forcing officials to rush to the spot and call for additional protection force to help trains ply on the route.

''Repair work on the line is in full swing and the line is expected to get operational by afternoon,'' said Additional District Magistrate (G B Nagar) Rajesh Prakash.

Agitators also tried to dismantle rail line at Maripat railway station but with the timely arrival of police, it was stopped, even as protestors at Ajayabpur railway station continued to block traffic till afternoon despite presence of security personnel.

Officials said the protests were peaceful and after a short while protestors were persuaded to move away from the spot.

However, rail traffic continued to be affected on the route till 1500 hrs.

Meanwhile, in Noida city the 'Gujjar Ekta Manch', a three-day-old conglomeration of local Gujjar leaders from all parties, took out a protest march between Sector 18 Atta Chowk to Sector 19 Rajnigandha Chowk where they burnt Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in effigy demanding dismissal of the state government.

UNI