Cong workers stop trains in protest, block highways

Congress workers today took to the streets and stopped trains in various parts of Uttar Pradesh as part of their state-wide 'rail roko, rasta roko' stir against "overall failure" of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government.
"Trains were stopped and highways blocked at several places across the state. The protest was led by Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nirmal Khatri in Lucknow," Congress spokesman Satyadeo Tripathi said here.
The agitation, which was against the Land Bill, hike in railway tariff, inflation and poor law and order situation in the state and other issues, was staged in all districts, he said.
IG (Admin) R K Swarnkar told reporters here that the state-wide agitation was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

Normal life remained by and large unaffected except at some places due to disruption in surface communication.
In Lucknow, Congress workers led by Khatri stopped Varuna Express, Sealdah Express and Ganga Gomti Express briefly, whereas partymen led by former state chief and MLA Reeta Joshi stopped Howrah-Amritsar Express at Charbagh railway station here for nearly one hour.
In Jhansi, former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya was detained along with his supporters while going to block the railway track.
Congressmen also stopped the Kolhapur Express for some time.