BJP workers court arrest as part of 'Rail Roko' campaign

Jabalpur, Mar 15 (UNI) About 900 BJP workers today staged a demonstration and courted arrest at the railway station here as a part of 'Rail Roko' protest against constant neglect of railway-related demands for the Mahakaushal division including Jabalpur.

BJP workers and party leaders led by party MP Rakesh Singh chanted slogans alleging neglect of the Mahakaushal division by Rail Minister Lalu Prasad and senior officials of the Rail Ministry.

State Ministers Harendrajeet Singh Babbu and Moti Kashyap, MLA Sharad Jain, district BJP President Bhupendra Dubey and former Mayor Sadanand Godbole were present.

Mr Singh, while addressing the meeting on the occasion, said demands for increasing railway facilities were being neglected. The Rail budget did not allocate adequate funds for converting Jabalpur-Gondia meter gauge to broad gauge.

Tight security arrangements had been made in view of the protest demonstration so that passengers do not face inconvenience.

Collector Sanjay Dubey and Superintendent of Police Makrand Deoskar monitored the security arrangements.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court had forbidden rail blockade as a part of the agitation after hearing a PIL yesterday. The Rail administration had made arrangements to deal with any attempt to halt rail movement.

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