Clash breaks out between hawkers, RPF at Asansol station

Asansol railway station virtually turned into a battlefield on Tuesday after a clash broke out between the hawkers and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel. Some hawkers and passengers were injured in the incident. 

A huge contingent of police force had rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. 

The hawkers alleged that the RPF had resorted to lathi charge while they were staging peaceful demonstration at Asansol railway station. Hundreds of hawkers torched a portion of railway station, ticket counters and platform number 7 and ransacked the RPF office. 

The RPF personnel had virtually gave in after a large number of people attacked the office. The RPF personnel failed to oppose them and their office was damaged in the incident. 

The hawkers had staged a demonstration at the station area on various issues including the protest against the alleged “extortion” by a section of RPF personnel. They alleged that RPF personnel had attacked on their demonstration without any provocations. 

When the hawkers resisted, a clash broke out between the two groups. The hawkers picked up stones from the railway lines and threw them at the ticket counters and other offices situated on railway platforms. The passengers who were at the spot were injured after being hit by stones. Some of the injured were taken to the hospital for treatment. 

A large contingent of police was deployed to control the situation. Police are yet to arrest anyone in this connection.