Kolkata: Suresh Prabhu's convoy blocked by protesters, minister forced to walk to venue

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's convoy was blocked in Kolkata by youth wing supporters of Forward Bloc on Friday.

Prabhu was on his way to attend an event at a hotel in Park Street as a part of his two-day visit to the city, when youth wing supporters of Forward Bloc blocked his convoy. The agitators showed him placards, posters and raised 'go back' slogans.

Since the agitators resorted to an unannounced demonstration, the police were not equipped to handle the situation. The union minister had to get down from his vehicle and walk several kilometres to reach the venue of the event.

The minister faced widespread protests after the railway board conducted an examination for the year 2013-14 to recruit people in several positions of the Indian Railways but people who cleared the examination were not recruited, said agitators.

"We urge the Railway Minister to carry out proper investigation into the irregularities in the recruitment process of the Railways. We have cleared the examination, still not managed to get a job," said Mani Prasad Das, a Forward Bloc supporter.

 Later, the Minister assured agitators of a thorough investigation into the recruitment process.