Lekhpal aspirants blocked rail tracks over train delay in UP

Train services on Howrah-Delhi route were disrupted for few hours today as aspirants of Lekhpal recruitment examination blocked the tracks at Athsarai and Shujanpur railway stations here in protest against the late arrival of a train.
Agitated over delay in arrival of a passenger train a large number of youths blocked the rail tracks at Athsarai station on the Howrah-Delhi route and forcibly stopped the Sriganganagar bound Toofan Express, Additional Superintendent of Police O P Pandey said.
When efforts were made to remove the agitators they turned violent and pelted stones on the train forcing police to use force to disperse the mob, he said.

Amid ruckus at Athsarai railway station, the aspirants waiting at Shujanpur went on rampage and sent the station master's cabin on fire in which the signal system was damaged, the ASP said.
On being chased, the mob came on the National Highway and blocked it and police had to use force to disperse it, Pandey said.
Operation of around two dozen trains including Muri Express on Howard-Delhi route was disturbed for more than four hours due to the incidents.