Ranchi, Sept. 20 -- On the call of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj Manch, a statewide rail blockade began early this morning across several districts of Jharkhand, severely affecting train movement.
From 4 am, groups of protestors gathered at small railway stations in Bokaro, Ranchi, and Giridih districts, occupying tracks with flags and banners, bringing train operations to a standstill.
The Kurmi community has long been agitating for recognition as a Scheduled Tribe, and today's protests marked another escalation of their demand.
At Ranchi's Rai station, dozens of protestors squatted on the tracks, raising slogans, while at Muri station, hundreds assembled in defiance of police barricades.
Despite preventive measures taken last night, includi...