Latehar, Sep 4 (PTI) Freight train movement remained disrupted for the third consecutive day in Jharkhand as members of the Tana Bhagat community blocked the tracks at Tori station here, seeking amendment of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act -- which protects the land rights of the tribals.

Several attempts to pacify the agitators over the past three days have failed, as the members of the tribal community sought a meeting with Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the protest venue.

Also Read | Earthquake Near Nashik City of Maharashtra Reported, 4.0 Magnitude Tremors Felt, Says NCS.

Local MLA Baijnath Ram, who visited the site of the agitation, said the protesters refused to pay heed.

The community, known to followers of Mahatma Gandhi's ideologies, had been demanding that the provisions of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act be strengthened in its favour through an amendment, and its members be granted a tax waiver on any land they possessed.

Also Read | BMTC Offers Free Rides to Students Taking Exams.

Latehar Deputy Commissioner Zeeshan Kamar said, "I tried talking to the agitators, and so did some of the senior district officials. But they were in no mood to listen."

Tori railway station superintendent Ashok Kumar said the agitation has hit hard the coal sector, as several goods trains remained stranded due to the agitation.

The Railways have suffered losses of around Rs 100 crore due to the protest, he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)