WB: Public agitation affects train services in Howrah-Kharagpur section

Due to public agitation following the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, train services in the Howrah-Kharagpur section were disrupted on Friday.

According to a press release, nearly 200 to 250 people obstructed the railway line at Ulubaria in protest against the contentious Act.

Seven trains, including the Yesvantpur-Howrah Duronto express and the Howrah-Chennai Coromondal express, have been detained.

Apart from this, 11 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) local and passenger trains have been detained and controlled at various stations in the section.

Earlier today, Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Northern Railway, stated that six trains have been cancelled and two trains have been partially cancelled following the agitation in Assam and the North East Railway.

The CAB has now become the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, following assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

According to the Act, members of the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities who have come from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship.

The passage of CAB has trigged intense protests in the Northeastern states. Curfew was imposed in some areas.