A group of people whose primary mode of communication to workplaces is local trains held protests at Liluah and Chinsurah railway stations in Howrah district on Monday against non-resumption of suburban services.

Those living in the suburbs and working in Calcutta have been facing the problem of reaching their workplace as local trains remained suspended to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The trigger of the protests was the railway police’s crackdown on commutters who were illegally travelling by trains meant for the railway staff.

Such passengers got off at Liluah and started agitating. A few of them also ransacked flower tubs at the station.

At Chinsurah, another group of passengers blocked tracks for an hour on Monday demanding resumption of local trains.

The blockade was withdrawn after the railway police promised to allow them to board the train.