Railway gatekeepers protest police highhandedness

Madurai, Nov 16 (UNI) Vehicular traffic through the manned railway crossing between Kappalur and Shenkottah section was severely hit for several hours, as a section of railway gatekeepers closed the gates in protest against the alleged police high-handedness here today.

Railway sources said a police team allegedly beat up a railway gatekeeper at Kappalur for not opening the gates for their jeep.

The gatekeeper asked the policemen to get due permission from railway officials for opening the gates. After assaulting the gatekeeper, the police team left the scene with their jeep through another route.

A passer-by, who noticed the gatekeeper in an unconscious stage, informed the railway officials. He was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital here.

Meanwhile, a section of railwaymen (gatekeepers) closed all the railway-level crossing gates between Kappalur and Shenkottah section to condemn the police high-handedness, demanding action against the erring policemen.

Senior railway officials and police officials, including Divisional Railway Manager Anil Singhal held talks with the agitating railwaymen and persuaded them to withdraw their stir.

Later, talking to UNI, Anil Singhal said the railway gatekeepers withdrew the stir as senior police officials assured them of taking action against the erring cops.

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