Saturday, December 10 2005 15:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Railway police allegedly resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas to pacify hundreds of agitating protesters who held a 'rail satyagraha' between Borivli and Virar stations of Western Railway today (Dec 10, 2005).

Protesters, demanding improvement in suburban trains services and launching of new shuttle trains, were lathi-charged at Vasai and tear gas was used at Nallaspara, commuters said.

However, when contacted, a WR official denied that tear gas and lathi charge were used against the protesters.

Traffic on Borivli-Virar section of Western Railway was disrupted following the 'rail satyagraha' by hundreds of rail commuters and activists of several NGOs.

The protesters squatted on the tracks at four stations between Borivli and Virar, WR spokesperson Shailendra Kumar told sources.

"The protests were held at Vasai Road, Naigaon, Mira Road and Nallasopra from around 8.20 am, he said. Fifteen suburban trains were affected and six long-distance trains were delayed as a result of the protests," he added.

"At Vasai Road, former Union minister Ram Naik joined the agitation," he said.

Passengers complained of being subjected to 'inhuman conditions' due to the overcrowding on trains on the route, the sources said.

"Commuters' associations have demanded that work on expansion of the Borivli-Virar track be completed expeditiously," Kumar added.