United News of Bangladesh

Train communications on Wednesday resumed in parts of the country after Bangladesh Railways’ running staff called off their strike. The decision to withdraw the strike that halted trains for 26 hours came from a meeting held between Railways Adviser Fouzul Kabir, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and the leaders of running staff late Tuesday. The decision was announced at 2:45 am Wednesday. Md Mojibur Rahman, general secretary to Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers' Union, said, "The adviser has promised to resolve our issue quickly through the finance ministry by tomorrow (Wednesday). We don't want public suffering. I'm sorry. I have now withdrawn the work stoppage. I will tell the running staff brothers to go back to work.” Followoing the announcement, two trains left Rajshahi rail station in the early morning. Read: Train communications halt nationwide after talks on extra benefits fail Of them, the Khulna and Dhaka-bound Sagardari and Madhumati trains left the station at 6:05am and 6:50am respectively. Moreover, the Banalata Express train left Chapainawabganj rail station for Rajshahi in the morning, reports our district correspondent. Passengers travelling by the trains said most seats remained vacant due to the late night announcement of the withdrawal. Read more: BR Strike: Passengers continue to suffer as solution remains elusive The running staff started an indefinite work abstention from Monday midnight across the country to demand special post-retirement allowances and other benefits.

Rail communications on Dhaka-Chattogram route remained cut off after a Dhaka-bound train hit a lorry at SKM Jute Mills level crossing in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Tuesday night. Read: 8-yr-old girl killed in Dinajpur road accident Officer-in-charge (OC) of Chattogram Railway Station, Mohammad Nazim Uddin said the accident occurred when the Dhaka-bound ‘Turna Nishitha’ train, which left Chattogram at night, collided head-on with the lorry. Railway authorities are working to restore the train service on the route, he added.    

Train communications on Chattogram-Dhaka and Chattogram-Sylhet routes resumed on Sunday morning after a suspension of seven hours following the derailment of an intercity train in Brahmanpara upazila.