Locals in Senarhuda village of Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga, district formed a human chain on Sunday demanding justice for the killing of Gaffar Ali Akash, an employee of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).

Hundreds of people formed the human chain around 8:30 am at Uthli Railway Station in the morning which was continues till 10 am, halting the Rajshahi-bound intercity train ‘Kapotakkha’ for about 30 minutes as the protesters blocked the railway tracks.

However, the train resumed its journey following the intervention of police, army personnel and local authorities.

They also alleged that Akash was deliberately pushed off a moving train and murdered, though efforts are being made to portray it as an accident. “We demand a fair and transparent investigation and justice,” they said.

A written complaint was later submitted to the Kapotakkha train supervisor, Md Mahbubur Rahman.

Earlier, on May 21, Akash’s body was found beside the railway near the Joyrampur sugarcane center.

The 26-year-old had been working as an office assistant at the BWDB in Chuadanga.

His family alleges that Akash was murdered by railway police, a TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner) and attendants during a dispute over tickets and fare.

Akash’s father filed a murder case with a Chuadanga court against five people.

The accused are TTE Lalon Chakraborty, railway SI Parvez, constable Kader and attendants Milon and Sohag Mia.

Four passengers have testified in the case, and the family has also preserved a recorded phone call with an eyewitness, who claimed Akash was dragged toward the train door and pushed off while the train was moving.

Locals have demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing of Akash.

They also threatened to go for tougher movement if their demand goes unheeded.