Bengaluru: Train services were halted for nearly two hours at the Bengaluru City railway station causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers on Tuesday evening as railway staff staged a flash protest, demanding the release of one of their colleagues arrested on the charge of illegally auctioning abandoned vehicles at the parking lot.

The staff, who alleged that the case was a false one and foisted on the parcel supervisor, withdrew the agitation after being persuaded by top police officials.

As many as six to eight trains were stopped and around 8,000 passengers were stranded at the station for nearly two hours, he said.

Police officials led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Division) Labhu Ram, rushed to the station for negotiations and after much deliberation, the protesters called off their agitation following an assurance by the police.

“This is not the first time, we have faced the vindictive police. They had done it before. But for now, we have called off agitation after they assured us of no harassment from their side,” a railway staff spoke.

The staff said that on April 5, railway official Pandurang, designated as parcel supervisor, was arrested for allegedly illegally auctioning vehicles abandoned at the parking lot. Police also alleged the railway authorities had auctioned vehicles after “stealing” them, he said.

The DRM contended that the arrest was illegal as the state police “does not enjoy the jurisdiction to handle matters related to railways. The state police do not have jurisdiction to interfere into our affairs,” he added.

“Moreover, the police have not given any prior notice to the railway authorities questioning the conduct of auction,” the staff stressed.

It was learnt that Pandurang is now in judicial custody.

(Inputs: Agencies)