KOLKATA: Commuters continued to block railway tracks and stop special trains when they were not allowed to board them amid growing demand that suburban train services be resumed.
CM Mamata Banerjee, however, made it clear that the situation wasn’t yet conducive for suburban trains to resume.
After Wednesday’s blockade, south section of Sealdah division witnessed an intense track rage on Thursday with commuters demanding resumption of train services to end their perennial transport woes.
The Sealdah south section got crippled for more than four hours because of this blockade.
Eastern Railway AGM Aneet Dulat on Thursday wrote to home secretary B P Gopalika and even spoke to him after the unrest and prolonged protests by railway commuters against suspension of local trains.
The AGM urged the state government to step in and take necessary action.
ER is increasing the number of staff specials from around 420 to around 500.
Passengers on Thursday first put up a blockade at Mullickpur between Subhasgram and Baruipur at around 7.45am.
A large number of passengers, mostly women, stayed put on the track.
GRP and RPF personnel reached the spot to bring situation under control.
When police threatened the protesters with forceful eviction, the agitators started pelting stones at police.
Vehicles of GRP were vandalised.
One police personnel sustained head injuries while some others escaped with minor injuries.
Baruipur force led by additional SP Baruipur reached the spot along with IC Baruipur and IC Sonarpur police station.
After some persuasion, the blockade was withdrawn.
SRP Sealdah, BV Chandrashekhar, said: “The blockade led to suspension of train operation for over four hours.
Commuters were demanding resumption of suburban services.” ER spokesperson Ekolabya Chakraborty said, “We are ready to run the services.
But it entirely depends on the state government.”