Kurmi caste organisations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha have launched a rail roko agitation in 100 railway stations from September 20 to press their long-standing demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Police and railway authorities have stepped up security across sensitive zones following the announcement.

Among 100 railway stations, 40 are in Jharkhand.The railway roko ( block movement of railway trains) began this morning at 5 am.This time the Opposition All Jharkhand Students Union( AJSU) and another new outfit, Jharkhand Totemik/ Kurmi Vikas Morcha have supported the agitation.

The AJSU from Barkakana Vidhayak Tiwari and its former MLA from Ramgarh, Gola, Lambodar Mahto, along with their supporters, have reached Gomia railway station and blocked the track, affecting the movement of trains.

The police agencies have deployed forces to prevent agitators from moving out of the tracks.

In Jharkhand, protesters have blocked railway tracks at several key stations and junctions, including Muri, Gomoh, Neemdih, Ghaghra, Chandil, Hansdiha, Chhota Gamharia, Dumri, Ganjia Barrage, and Parasnath.

Officials have stressed that ensuring passenger safety, maintaining law and order, and protecting railway property will remain top priorities during the agitation.

This is not be the first such protest. In September 2023, thousands of Kurmi members had paralysed train services in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal for five consecutive days by squatting on railway tracks. The agitation was withdrawn following high-level talks with the government.

However, Kurmi leaders allege that no progress has been made since then. “The government has not moved forward on the issues agreed upon in the talks. Therefore, there is no option but to resort to another agitation,” said Sheetal Ohdar, President of the Totemic Kurmi Vikas Morcha (TKVM) in Jharkhand.

The Kurmi community, currently classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, has been agitating for ST recognition for years. They say that the absence of the ST status deprives them of adequate representation and reservation benefits in education and employment.

Just last week, Kurmi organisations staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to highlight their demand.

In West Bengal, Kurmi groups had also announced a rail roko movement last year. However, the Calcutta High Court declared the blockade unlawful and directed the state to ensure that railway services were not disrupted.