Railways cancel train booked en masse by CPI cadres for 'Delhi Chalo' protest; Binoy Viswam responds

NEW DELHI: The railways cancelled the train booked by the Communist Party of India for the Delhi Chalo protest against the central government. The railways returned the Rs 10 lakh paid in advance by the CPI. The CPI had decided to rent an entire train to avoid congestion on the day of travel. The protest was scheduled for September 1 at Ramlila Maidan. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam called the latest development a central government ploy to sabotage the protest.

The CPI decided to hold a rally in Delhi to protest the anti-people policies of the central government. CPI's move to bring leaders and activists from Kerala to the national capital has now hit a roadblock. The CPI estimated that more than 1400 activists, volunteers and representatives of farmers' and workers' organisations would reach Delhi in 20 coaches.

The party booked the train starting from Kochuveli on August 29 that would reach Delhi on the 31st. The authorities had informed that the train, which would depart from Delhi on September 2 after the strike, would return to Thiruvananthapuram on the 4th. The party had booked a train with 18 third-class compartments and two non-AC coaches. The CPI had also booked two other trains to transport people from Tamil Nadu. All of these have been cancelled by the Railways.