Jats bring goods train toa halt in Hisar for two hours
8,000 persons came out in support of Kala Diwas, claims Yashpal Malik
HISAR: Tension was prevailed in Hisar after a goods train was stopped 2 kilometres from the Ramayan protest site, as some Jat protesters blocked the railway track near the Ramayan railway crossing on ‘Kala Diwas’ (black day) protest of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) on Sunday.
Police, paramilitary force and rapid action force (RAF) rushed to the crossing to clear the railway lines. Deputy commissioner (DC) Nikhil Gajraj, superintendent of police (SP) Rajendre Kumar Meena, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Hisar Ashok Bansal also reached the dharna spot and, after two hours of standoff, tracks were cleared and the goods was allowed to pass.
While talking with HT, DC Nikhil Gajraj said, “The situation is under control. Roads routes and railway lines are clear. After receiving information that some people had blocked the railway track, we reached the spot and cleared the route.” Meanwhile, SP Rajendra Kumar Meena said that there were 15 companies of police, paramilitary force and RAF maintaining law and order in Hisar.
“Not even single person from the Jat community blocked the railway track or damaged any government property. We were there and those who blocked the railway track had covered their faces. We are holding our dharna peacefully,” AIJASS state spokesperson Rambhagat Malik said while talking to mediapersons.
“Today, approximately 8,000 persons came out in support of ‘kala diwas’, including a number of women. We have asked women to come wearing a black duppata on their head and men to tied a black ribbon on their hand,” Malik added.
As protesters blocked the railway crossing near Ramayan village, they also climbed the railway crossing gate, which subsequently got damaged. Police later created a human chain near the railway crossing so the train could pass easily.
Station house officer (SHO) government railway police (GRP) Rajender Kumar said, “We have CCTV footage of the incident. Police have started investigation into the matter and will register cases against those who damaged the railway gate and tried to block the railway lines.”
SP Rajendra Kumar Meena said the administration had imposed Section 144 in the district and that the police will book protesters if they are found breaching it.
As information of the blocked railway line reached the railway department, a passenger train from Hisar to Jaipur was stopped at Bhiwani station for safety.
Haryana roadways of Hisar depot on Saturday suspended buses on three routes. It suspended Hisar-Panipat, Hisar-Gurugram and Hisar-Delhi bus service.
Transport manager Jitender Kumar said, "We will resume Hisar-Delhi bus by Monday morning."