Fresh protests have been announced by the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj in Purulia district, West Bengal, fWor September 25, following violent clashes with police at Kotshila railway station. The Kurmi community has renewed its long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This has led to significant disruptions with railway and road blockades across the state.
The protests in Purulia turned violent. There were reports of stone-pelting from demonstrators and police responded with baton charges and tear gas. A large number of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed to control the situation. These clashes resulted in injuries to several police officers and journalists.
Ajit Mahato, a senior leader of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj, expressed his anger about the police response. “They arrested 44 of our people, did not even spare the women,” Mahato said. “Protesting is our basic right. They won’t allow us even the basics? We will hold fresh protests in Purulia on September 25.”
The rail blockades led by the Kurmi community severely affected train services in parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, especially in border areas, disrupting over 50 trains. While the blockade in Jharkhand
