Baripada, Sep 20: Train operations in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district were disrupted on Saturday after members of the Kurmi community staged a protest demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Under the banner of the Odisha Kurmi Sena, hundreds of men, women, and children gathered at Bhanjapur railway station and blocked the railway tracks. As a result, the Bangirposi-Bhubaneswar Super Fast Express was halted for more than 20 minutes before authorities cleared the tracks, an official confirmed.
The protest prompted the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to divert three trains to ensure passenger safety and minimize disruption:
18309 Sambalpur – Jammu Tawi Express was rerouted via Ib, Bilaspur, Katni, Manikpur, and Prayagraj.
15027 Sambalpur – Gorakhpur Express was diverted through Ib, Bilaspur, Katni, Manikpur, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.
20817 Bhubaneswar – New Delhi Express took an alternative route via Ib, Bilaspur, Katni, Manikpur, and Prayagraj.
Passengers are advised to stay updated via official railway channels for the latest information and avoid any inconvenience.
