Odisha's Kurmi Community Demands ST Status, Disrupts Train Services

Train Services Disrupted in Mayurbhanj District

In a significant protest on Saturday, train operations in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district were disrupted as members of the Kurmi community obstructed railway tracks, advocating for their recognition as a Scheduled Tribe (ST).

Under the banner of the Odisha Kurmi Sena, hundreds of individuals, including men, women, and children, gathered at the Bhanjapur railway station to stage their protest.

They halted the Bangirposi-Bhubaneswar Super Fast Express for more than 20 minutes before authorities intervened and cleared the tracks.

Divyasingh Mahanta, the president of the Odisha Kurmi Sena, emphasized that their struggle is centered around securing constitutional rights for their community.

Additionally, the protestors also blocked several roads in various locations throughout the district, as reported by local police.

The Kurmi community predominantly resides in the Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts of Odisha, where they are currently categorized as Other Backward Classes (OBC).