Indefinite rail roko for Salem Rly Division

Coimbatore, Aug 24 (UNI) An all-party meeting organised by the Salem Railway Division Protection and Struggle Coordination Committee here last night decided on an indefinite rail roko beginning tomorrow to ensure the inauguration of Salem Railway Division, as scheduled, on September 14.

Representatives of the DMK, MDMK, CPI, Congress, BJP, Puthiya Tamizhagam, Dalit Panthers and Trade and Industry Bodies, who attended the meet, decided to block all trains to and from Kerala in this city from tomorrow.

Committee Coordinator and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam General Secretary K Ramakrishnan said the state had been fighting for the division for the last 50 years and it was scheduled for inauguration by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on September 14. At this juncture, Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad told Parliament the government had no plan to create any division in the state causing confusion.

His suggestion for a meeting between Tamil Nadu and Kerala Chief Ministers on the jurisdiction of the new division was not acceptable.

He asked the Union Government to issue a GO immediately on establishing the Salem Railway Division.

Puthiya Thamizhagam Founder President K Krishnasamy threatened to picket Mr Prasad and his Deputy R Velu's residences at New Delhi on September six.

He told UNI here today that his party wanted Coimbatore to be included in the jurisdiction of the Salem Railway Division.

The PT Leader also suggested a series of protests till Tamil Nadu's demand was met.

UNI