Tribal body's 12-hour Bharat bandh disrupts train services in WB and Jharkhand

Train services and vehicular movements were disrupted in certain areas of West Bengal and Jharkhand on Saturday as the Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA), a tribal organization, called for a 12-hour "Bharat Bandh" demanding the recognition of the 'Sarna' religion in the census. The tribal group enforced a "Rail Roko" protest by sitting on railway tracks, causing disruptions in the state's western districts, including Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Midnapore, and Adra. The protest also led to the cancellation and diversion of several trains, including the Godda weekly Express and Tatanagar-Ara Express, impacting rail services in the region.

According to South Eastern Railway (SER) officials, the Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express was held up at Purulia, while multiple trains were delayed at Asansol. The Hatia-Kharagpur Express was canceled for the day, and Hatia-Tatanagar Express was diverted. Protestors also blocked tracks at Bahalda Road, leading to cancellations and diversions. The agitation extended beyond railways, with demonstrators blocking roads in various locations, including Tata-Hata Road, Karandih, Rola Chowk, Birsa Chowk, Seraikela, and Byhatu Chowk. This protest follows earlier legal intervention, with the Calcutta HC banning an indefinite rail blockade by the Kurmi community earlier this year, declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.