Train services in different parts of West Bengal were disrupted today as a result of a bandh called by Jharkhand Dishom Party (JDP) demanding recognition of 'Sarna Dharma' as a religion, railway officials said.
Sarna Dharma is centred around the worship of nature.
The JDP called the dawn-to-dusk bandh in Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha in association with some other outfits, demanding recognition of Sarna Dharma as a religion, party sources said.
Bandh supporters blocked train movement at different places from Purulia in the western part of the state to North and South Dinajpur districts in the northern part.
As a result of the agitation, South Eastern Railway (SER) cancelled 17 passenger trains and two express trains. Also 11 other trains were short-terminated, an SER spokesperson said.
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In the SER zone, JDP supporters blockades were put up at Kantadih, Madhukunda and Indrabil stations from 6.05 am. The blockades were lifted in the afternoon and train services resumed in Adra division, the spokesperson said.
Three express trains, including New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express and Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express were diverted, he said.
Rail tracks were blocked by agitators in Eastern Railway and North Frontier Railway zones since early morning, resulting in delay of several trains.
Blockades at Kanki and Adina stations under North Frontier Railway zone were lifted at 2.45 pm and 3.05 pm respectively.
Eastern Railway cancelled the 12041 UP Shatabdi Express from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri as the down train was delayed inordinately owing to the agitation at Eklakhi station in Malda district.
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