Railway workers block tracks after co-worker dies in accident

Hundreds of irate railway workers at the Thane railway station resorted a spontaneous rail blockade agitation today after the death of a gangman on the tracks today afternoon, railway police sources said.
Slogan shouting workers held up suburban local railway trains for at least an hour after which they heeded a request by their seniors as well as the police, to stop their stir.
However, workers continued shouting slogans even after three hours and it was stated that they were awaiting the visit for their senior officials to resolve the issue.
According to railway police sources at Thane, a gangman Mahadeo Swami (54) who was working on the tracks was run over by a speeding suburban local train at about 14 hours.

News of his death spread like wildfire among the railway workers who gathered at the station platforms and held up services, railway sources said.
The deceased gangman's co-workers have been seriously concerned about the safety of their colleagues working on the tracks, since according to them, at least two railway workers tend to lose their lives in a similar fashion, practically every month.

They also alleged that railway authorities are not at all bothered about the safety of their workers.
The deceased gangman's colleagues said that he had worn a reflector jacket, which the driver ought to have noticed and sounded the horn, to warn about the approaching train.

The railway police said that the deceased gangman's body has been sent to the Civil Hospital for post mortem and the process of registering a case is on.
It may be recalled that at least half a dozen railway workers have lost their lives in accidents between Thane and Kalyan in the past, after they were run over by speeding trains.