Today, the Youth Congress and Chhatra Parishad activists disrupted rail services in North 24-Parganas district for more than two hours while protesting against the arrest of their supporters. The protesters also blocked railway services apart from resorting to road blockades.

The Congress, while claiming it has advised restraint to its activists, tried to justify the disruptions.

“We are opposed to blocking roads and rails that causes discomfort and distress to people. We have asked our supporters to refrain from this,” state Congress working president Pradip Bhattacharjee said but added there was perhaps no option. “There are political situations when blockades become the only option of protest.”

The Youth Congress supporters were protesting police action on their colleagues following clashes with the police at Barasat on Thursday. They stopped trains at Titagarh and Kakinara for more than an hour and even forced the driver and the cabinman out. Protesters also blocked BT Road and Jessore Road at several places.

Sources said the Youth Congress and Chhatra Parishad leaders of the district resorted to blockades after consulting state Congress leaders. “Yes, they did call me up on Saturday morning and said they wanted to block roads. I asked them to take out protest rallies instead. But they were adamant,” Bhattacharjee said.