Job aspirants stall Mumbai local train services: Here’s what the agitators are demanding

Hundreds of job aspirants on Tuesday morning stalled the Mumbai local train services on the Central Line, leaving lakhs of commuters stranded. The protesters took to rail tracks between Matunga and Dadar stations crippling the train services.

Though railway and police authorities made all attempts to pacify the protesters but the job aspirants remained unfazed after they started the ‘rail roko’ protests at 7 am.

Here’s a look at what the protesters are saying:

# There has been no recruitment in last four years

# Over 10 students have committed suicide over the issue

# Several prayers have been made to Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division but none have been acted upon

# Protests won’t be stopped unless Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal comes to protest site and meet the aspirants

# One time settlement must be done from General Manager’s quota

The students blocked the rail track at 7 am in the morning, forcing railway to stop the suburban as well as express train in the affected section between Matunga and CSMT. Entire four lines have been affected between Matunga and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Police and railway official are having talks with them, the official said.

"There has been no recruitment since last four years. We are struggling from pillars to post. Over 10 students have committed suicide. We cannot let such things happen," a student who was part of the protest said.

"We will not budge from here until and unless Railway Minister Piyush Goyal come and meet us. Our several prayers made to DRM (Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division) have failed," another student said.

"Mumbai police along with GRP and RPF jawans are having talks with the students and railway's first priority was to clear the track first," Chief PRO of Central Railway Sunil Udasi said.

Students shouting slogans against railways held placard in their hands demanding one-time settlement from GM quota and said that they demand jobs from government.