• Source:JND
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Kurmi Quota Protest: Hundreds of members from the Kurmi communities staged protests in several parts of Jharkhand, defying the prohibitory orders. The agitators blocked railway tracks at various stations on Saturday morning, disrupting train services partially in the state. Under the banner of Adivasi Kurmi Samaj (AKS), the protestors were seen sitting on tracks at Rai station in Ranchi, Parasnath in Giridih and Chandrpura in Bokaro district.

What Are The Key Demands?

The Adivasi Kurmi Samaj members were pressing their demand for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the community and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

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The train services in the jurisdiction of the South Eastern Railway (SER) and Dhanbad division of the East Central Railway (ECR) have been partially affected due to the reservation protets in Jharkhand.

"At least three trains, including Hatia-Barddhaman Memu and Tatanagar-Gua-Tatanagar Memu, have been cancelled, one has been short-terminated and four were controlled," the Railways said in a statement.

Security personnel were trying to pacify the protestors and making efforts to clear the railway tracks, the officials said.

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Several political parties, including AJSU, extended their support to the demonstrations by the Kurmis. In view of the stir, the Ranchi administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in a 300-metre radius of various stations falling in the district.

The order is effective at Muri, Silli, Khalari and Tatisilwai from 8 pm on Friday to 8 am on September 21, according to an official statement. A similar order within a radius of 100 metres has been imposed at Tatanagar, Govindpur, Rakha Mines and Haldipokhar stations under Dhalbhum subdivision of East Singhbhum district.

As per the orders, demonstrations, dharnas, effigy burning or gherao, carrying any sort of weapons, including sticks and bows and arrows, assembly of five or more persons with the intention to disturb peace and public address are prohibited.
(With PTI inputs)