Protesters stop Shatabdi trains in Haryana, Punjab

New Delhi, Nov 3 : A Shatabdi Express from Amritsar to the national capital was prevented from leaving Tuesday by activists of a Sikh outfit, while another Shatabdi was stopped in Haryana by villagers after it ran over six people.

The Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi was stopped at the Amritsar railway station by activists of Dal Khalsa, a radical group that called a shutdown to protest against what it said was the denial of justice to families of thousands killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"The train was stopped at the Amritsar station. As it was difficult to start the journey due to the protests, the train was later cancelled," A.S. Negi, public relations officer of Northern Railways, told IANS.

In a separate incident, the New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi was stopped for five hours by angry villagers early Tuesday after six people were crushed by the speeding train at Pataudi in Haryana.

"Six people were run over by the Shatabdi when they were crossing the railway track. They were all from the same village," said Anant Swarup, a spokesperson of the Northern Railways.

"Because of the accident, the engine of the train was damaged. We sent another engine from Delhi. However, because of the protests there, the relief engine could not be attached immediately," he said.

Police said villagers stoned the train and blocked traffic on the Delhi-Ajmer section for five hours.

"The police managed to clear the tracks and the train left Pataudi for its onward journey at 1.15 p.m.," said Swarup.

In the Punjab shutdown, other trains such as Sachkhand Express, Dadar Express and Superfast Express were also stopped by the protesters. Scores of Dal Khalsa members squatted on the tracks.

Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh guards Oct 31, 1984. The killing led to riots against Sikhs with thousands being killed and rendered homeless.

--IANS