RPI men turn rail-roko protest into photo-op

The ‘rail-roko’ organised by the militant protesters of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) on Tuesday was akin to an over-hyped Bollywood movie which leaves you feeling that the promos were more promising that the movie itself!Far from disrupting suburban railway operations, RPI activists could be seen rushing to the motormen’s cabin whenever local trains stood near platforms. They would then clamber towards the roof displaying their party flags wide enough for the eager news cameramen apart from indulging in some enthusiastic sloganeering. All this would take only a few minutes after which they would leave for the next station. No violence and intimidation of passengers or railway officials was reported on the day.Central Railway chief spokesperson, VA Malegaonkar, said, “Only three local trains were detained for a few minutes, namely at Ambernath (from 11.45am to 11.50am), at Koparkhairane (from 11.58am to 12.01pm) and at Dombivli (from 11.58 am to 12.02 pm).”According to the Government Railway Police (GRP) sources, at least three stations on the western line witnessed similar ‘rail-rokos’. These included Bandra (between 3.10pm and 3.40pm); Malad (between 5.30pm and 5.42 m) and at an level crossing gate between Mira and Bhayander stations (between 5.17pm and 5.43 pm). Thus, Bandra and the level crossing gate were the only two spots that saw demonstrations sustaining for a time enough to delay trains in the beginning hours of the evening rush.Only one Western Railway station, namely Malad, witnessed demonstrations which led to two trains being detained for a few minutes. Gautam Sonwane, Mumbai RPI (A) president, said: “Our focus was not so much in Mumbai as it was on the state. Thus, there was not much emphasis on the protests in the city.”