Rajasthan crisis: Trains rescheduled, diverted

The railways on Monday regulated many of its trains in view of the day-long bandh in Delhi in support of the Gujjars' demand for Scheduled Tribe status in Rajasthan.

"According to latest information, public agitation started at 0815 hours, near Level Crossing Gate No. 146 between Ajaibpur and Dadi with people blocking trains. Railways have decided to regulate many of trains," the railways said in a release.

It said the agitation led to at least 14 trains "controlled" since morning at various stations on their route, including at Gate No. 146 between Dadi and Ajaibpur, it said.

Meanwhile, 24 train passengers, including two drivers, were injured when Gujjar agitators went on a rampage and pelted stones at two trains in Mathura.

The agitators first tried to stop a goods train near Chhatta railway station and when the driver did not oblige, they pelted stones that resulted in the injury of the driver and the associate driver.

They later attacked the Porbandar Express and damaged window panes of the air-conditioned compartments.

"While police have already been deployed, PAC and additional forces have been rushed," District Magistrate T N Singh said.

Normal life was hit in most parts of Uttar Pradesh bordering Delhi as Gujjars damaged vehicles, blocked roads and stopped trains.

Two buses were burnt in Loni and Dadri areas. Agitators blocked roads in Loni, Sahibabad, Hapur, Mussoorie and Garhmukteshwar areas resulting in traffic snarls, SSP Deepak Ratan said.

They also threw burning tyres on vehicles and burnt effigies.

The running of trains was totally affected between Aligarh-Delhi section with agitators stopping trains for hours.

Noida SSP A Ganeshan said no train could pass in the section as all morning trains, including Gomti Express and Kalka Express, were halted at different stations.

Traffic from Lucknow and Moradabad to Delhi were diverted for Bulandshar from Garhmukteshwar.

Former Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister and veteran Congress leader from the Gujjar community appealed to his brethren and the Meenas to settle the issue amicably.

Following are the other trains "controlled" at different railway stations on their routes:

1. 4517-ald-umb Exp (Controlled outside Ajaibpur from 0847 hours.

2. 2553-BJU-NDLS Exp (Controlled at Wair from 0831 hours).

3. 5707-KJR-ASR Exp (At Chola from 0832 hours).

4. 2557-SPJ--DLI Exp (At Sikanderpur from 0830 hours).

5. 2305-HWH-NDLS Raj (At Khurja from 0849 hours and diverted via Hapur and Ghaziabad).

6. 2423-DBRT-NDLS Raj (At Daud Khan from 0852 hours).

7. 2313-SDAH-NDLS Raj (At Somna from 0900 hours).

8. 2439-RNC-NDLS Raj (At Aligarh from 0910 hours).

9. 2555-GKP-BNW Exp (At Sasni from 0842 hours).

10. 3039-HWH-DLI Exp (At Jalesar from 0840 hours)

11. 2421-BBS-NDLS Raj (At Tundla from 0826 hours)