The protestors demanded employment for local youths whose families had given the railways land for laying of tracks on the route over a decade ago.

``We were paid just Rs 8,000 per acre and jobs were promised for one member of each affected family. Where are they,'' asked Satish Gaikwad, a resident.The villagers presented a memorandum to Naik, who promised to look into the matter but did not commit himself. ``I'm not aware of any such promise. I have never made one myself. But I shall see what I can do," the minister said.

Naik reached the venue nearly an hour late due to the protests. Ironically, while railway officials tried to sweep the issue under the carpet, Minster of State for Transport Gajanan Kirtikar raised the matter in his speech. He asked the people to forget the past butrequested Naik to solve the problem as soon as possible. He also promised to help local youths find employment and added they would be recommended for vacancies in government agencies in the vicinity.