Kurmi Protesters Demand Tribal Status, Block Railways at 15+ Locations in Jharkhand

Ranchi — Thousands of Kurmi community members staged rail blockades at more than 15 stations across Jharkhand on Saturday, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The agitation severely disrupted train services on the Howrah-New Delhi main line, forcing cancellations, diversions, and rescheduling of several trains.

Protesters occupied tracks at Rai, Muri, Tatisilwai, and Mesra stations in Ranchi, while similar demonstrations erupted in Giridih, Chakradharpur, Jamtara, Dhanbad, and Bokaro.

At Dhanbad’s Pradhankhunta station, clashes broke out when security forces tried to remove the agitators.

Wearing traditional attire and carrying drums, protesters began assembling as early as 4 a.m., despite heavy police barricades.

Kurmi outfits had earlier announced plans to block tracks at 100 stations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha — 40 of them in Jharkhand.

Rail operations took a major hit: the Hatia-Bardhaman MEMU (13504) and Hatia-Kharagpur MEMU (18036) were canceled, the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express (13351) was delayed from 11:35 a.m. to 6:35 p.m., and the Ranchi-Chhapra Express (18613) was diverted via the Ranchi-Tori route.

Traffic was severely affected at Parasnath, Chandrapura, and Rai stations. Organisers termed the protest a “historic demonstration” mobilised through village-level campaigns.

Security has been stepped up with RPF, GRP, state police, CCTV, and drones. Authorities warned of strict action against damage to railway property.

AJSU MLA Jairam Mahato, also leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, backed the Kurmi movement, saying it was about tribal status, recognition of the Kurmali language, and land rights.

His party MP from Giridih, Chandra Prakash Choudhary, led a blockade at Hesalong station in Ramgarh.

With inputs from IANS