Train services between Rajshahi and the rest of the country were suspended on Tuesday after Rajshahi University (RU) students blocked a railway track protesting the alleged assault of a student by a travelling ticket examiner (TTE).
The students blocked the railway line near the university campus, demanding punishment of the accused TTE for beating a student who protested against collecting fares from passengers without issuing receipts.
Due to the blockade, no trains, including Dhaka-bound Bonolota Express and Silk City Express, could leave Rajshahi Railway Station from the morning. Several trains heading towards Rajshahi also remained halted, causing severe suffering to thousands of passengers.
The student who was allegedly assaulted was identified as Forkan Uddin, a student of the Department of Law at RU from the 2019-20 academic session.
Forkan said he was returning to Rajshahi from Dhaka by Padma Express when he noticed TTEs collecting fares directly from passengers without providing receipts.
“I protested and asked why they were taking money without issuing tickets, as railway revenue belongs to the state,” he said.
He alleged that several TTEs then grabbed him from behind and took him between two coaches, where they beat him on his neck and back. He also claimed that they tried to throw him out of the train through a window.
Forkan said he narrowly escaped but his glasses were damaged, demanding immediate and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Following the incident, students became agitated and announced that train movement would remain suspended through the railway track near the university’s Fine Arts area until their demands were met.
They demanded that the accused TTE, identified as Suman, be brought before them and face legal action.
Ariful Islam, general secretary of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union, said incidents of irregularities in railway services and harassment of passengers who protest have become common.
“Train movement will remain suspended until the authorities ensure proper justice and compensation for the victim,” he said.
Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar visited the spot and expressed solidarity with the protesters.
RAKSU Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid also voiced support for the movement through a Facebook post, demanding an apology from the accused and legal action against him.
RU Proctor Prof Dr Mahbubur Rahman said a student was seriously assaulted by TTEs the previous night and acknowledged that the students’ demands were reasonable despite temporary inconvenience to passengers.
He said the university administration was holding discussions with all parties to resolve the issue quickly.
Officials from Bangladesh Railway, university authorities and law enforcement agencies were present at the spot and negotiating with the students to restore normal train services.
Farid Ahmed, general manager of Bangladesh Railway’s Western Zone, said discussions with the students were ongoing and expressed hope that a solution would be reached soon.
However, the blockade had not been withdrawn until the latest report, leaving passengers stranded at Rajshahi Railway Station and causing further disruption to train services.