Title - Do not merge Salem Railway Division with Palakkad

The All India SC/ST Human Rights Council staged a demonstration, near Salem Railway Junction, on Saturday to press a charter of demands.The council’s State secretary Sarasram Ravi, and national general secretary R. Jayakumar were present. Representatives of various Dalit organisations, and rights activists participated in the demonstration. Railways should drop any move to merge the Salem Railway Division with Palakkad, they said.They wanted abolishment of manual scavenging.The railways to implement the reservation quota policy. All coaches should be maintained properly.Fair pricing should be made compulsory at all sales outlets on railway premises.Separate railway ticket counters for women and physically challenged should be opened at the Salem Railway Junction.

Identity cards:Identity cards must be provided to autorickshaw drivers in Salem Railway Junction, they said.

A committee should be formed to fix fare for autorickshaws plying from the junction. Trains should be stopped at Kattukottai near Attur.

Railway Protection Force must be strengthened.