Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: An Udhampur-Katra bound DMU from Jammu was forcefully stopped by irate local passenger at Bajalta over the issue of inconvenience to them due to unprecedented rush in the train by non-locals.
The protesting passenger staged a dharna on the rail line and did not allow the DMU to proceed further for around two hours. They were demanding additional coaches in the trains as well as more services of DMU on Jammu-Udhampur-Katra junction to avoid inconvenience to the locals.
The protesting passengers could be pacified only after the Railway Police officers rushed to the spot and assured that their grievance would be taken up before the concerned authorities for redressal.
The trouble erupted this morning following a scuffle took place with a local woman passenger who could not find berth in female compartment of Jammu Udhampur bound DMU, which was loaded with Mata Vaishno Devi bound passengers from Punjab.
Infuriated over alleged misbehaviour by the occupying passengers with her, the local woman traveler was joined by a number of students and employees after the train stopped at Bajalta Station for a brief halt. The passengers at Bajalta station were already peeved over closure of train doors due to unprecedented rush.
The protesters blocked the track and held a demonstration there. Raising slogans, they alleged that whenever DMU reaches Bajalta, they always find its doors closed ever since the train service to Katra was started.
The high-voltage drama continued for around two hours from 8.45 a.m to 10.30 am till the Railway Police officers reached the spot and pacified the agitating passengers.
According to SSP Railway Suram Singh, the agitating passengers were assured that their grievance and demands would be taken up before the Railway authorities for a positive consideration.
Pertinent to mention that ever since the start of train service to Katra, the local passengers on Jammu-Udhampur-Katra section have been complaining of heavy rush of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims from outside the State because of whom they usually fail to catch the DMU.
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