Locals block Katwa-Azimgunj railway line demanding construction of level crossing

Some local people at Katwa on Friday put up road block on the Katwa Azimgunj railway line demanding the construction of a level crossing in the area.

Following the incident, the railway service in this route was partially affected.

Police said that hundreds of the local residents put up a block on the track at around 6 am on Friday and demanded the setting up of a long level crossing. Passengers travelling in the trains were seriously inconvenienced as the block continued for three hours.

The demonstrators sat on the track shouting slogans. As per the Government Railways Police (GRP) the villagers from Keshia mathpara put up the block.

Senior railways officials and engineers rushed to the spot to control the situation. After getting some assurances from the senior railway officials, they lifted the block.

The Railway officials told the villagers that they would look into their demands and also sought some time for this. The train services were then resumed.

The villagers alleged that as a wall was constructed along the railway line in some parts, the local residents were seriously inconvenienced. The residents, however, threatened to organise a bigger movement if the railway authorities do not take enough steps to set up the level crossing in the area. The residents of Mathpara area said that they had to travel around 2 km to cross the Railway lines. They had to put up the block on the track as there was no option before them, said the local residents.

A senior official of the railway said that there was resentment among the people as a wall was constructed along the railway line in some parts, following which the local residents had to travel a long distance. Their demands were given a patient hearing and their demands are being looked into. 

They said that they would talk with their higher authorities in this regard. The local people must be informed about the next steps.