8 trains cancelled as BJP workers stage protest at Kankinara

Kolkata: BJP workers and supporters allegedly obstructed train movement at Kankinara, which led to harassment for the daily commuters. Train services were affected for almost half-an-hour which resulted in cancellation of eight local trains during the peak hours on Monday.

According to local resident, trouble cropped up on Sunday night when BJP supporters were allegedly putting up flags at ward no. 15 in Bhatpara. It was alleged that the flags were being put up on the house of local councillor Manoj Guha, without his permission. When he asked the BJP workers and supporters not to put up the flags, an altercation ensued between the Guha's supporters and the BJP men.

Later, BJP supporters gheraod Jagaddal police station led by BJP leader Arjun Singh, alleging that Guha had assaulted a BJP supporter.

After almost one-and-half-an hour BJP supporters lodged a complaint. A local Trinamool leader denied the allegation and said that BJP is trying to create unrest situation in the area. They are resorting to hooliganism instead of democracy, he said.

Situation went out of control when again BJP supporters put up a blockade on Monday morning claiming action over their allegations. Despite repeated requests by the daily commuters, BJP supporters did bother to listen to them. As the protest continued from 9:24 am to 9:50 am, huge numbers of daily commuters were late to their destinations.

Several school and college students also faced trouble. Later, Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police intervened and managed to convince the BJP supporters to withdraw the blockade.

Eastern Railway authorities informed that the train services in Barrackpore-Naihati section of Sealdah Division were affected due to obstruction by a group of people near Kankinara and eight local trains had to be cancelled.

Normal train services resumed after 9:50 am.