DYFI Protesters Clash with Police at Palakkad DRM Office Over Railway Division Split
Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M), entered the compound of the Divisional Railway Manager's (DRM) office in Palakkad on Monday, August 24, during a protest against the bifurcation of the Palakkad Railway Division. The protesters were also opposing the shifting of stations, including Mangaluru, to the Mysuru division, police said. The Railway Board has decided to detach the Mangaluru region from the Palakkad Railway Division and merge it with Mysuru, with the decision taking effect from October 1.
According to police, the DYFI march reached the gates of the DRM office at around 8 am. Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel stopped the protesters at the entrance, but some of them scaled the compound wall and reached the main entrance of the office building. Officials said more protesters later broke through the police blockade at the gate and entered the compound. DYFI activists, including women, then staged a sit-in in front of the entrance and raised slogans against the proposed bifurcation. Additional police and RPF personnel were deployed to stop the protesters from entering the building, officials said.
The protest is part of a wider backlash in Kerala over the Railway Board's decision. The move is expected to significantly undermine the operational and financial importance of Palakkad Division, according to reports. Those opposing the move alleged that it would hurt the division's revenue, as a significant share of it comes from goods movement through Mangaluru port. BJP leaders in Kerala, however, have defended the decision, saying it would not affect railway development in the state.
Political leaders across parties have criticised the decision. Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the Railway Board's unilateral decision is unacceptable. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas urged Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to completely withdraw the planned transfer.
A DYFI leader told the media: "We will continue our protest. We have decided to continue the protest by detaining the officials here. No matter how large a police force is deployed, we have the strength to overcome it."
Speaking with the media on Sunday, August 23, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan said that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Kerala MPs that he was unaware of the Railway Board decision. "The Minister told us he came to know about the issue only after the Kerala government informed them of their protest over the decision. He also said he will recheck the decision. But we will not believe what he said, as a decision like this won't come without informing the Minister. Railway cannot take this decision alone," Unnithan said.
The protest also drew announcements of further action. While the DYFI held its march on Monday, the Youth Congress has also announced a protest in Palakkad, and Congress MPs have said they will hold a hunger strike in front of the divisional railway office on Onam day.