Train communication between Dhaka and the country’s northern region was disrupted for around 40 minutes on Thursday morning after a group of diploma engineering students blocked the railway track in Gazipur.
The protesters said they were demonstrating over the postponement of the scheduled section engineer recruitment exams for Dhaka Metro Rail, which they claimed had been stayed following a court order.
The blockade halted the ‘Banalata Express’ from Rajshahi to Dhaka, causing delays and suffering for commuters.
Witnesses said the students gathered around 10 am near the Paschim Burushia area on Joydebpur–Shimultoli Road and moved onto the tracks at about 11 am, forcing the train to stop.
The Banalata Express resumed its journey at 11:40 am after negotiations with the demonstrators.
According to the protesters, the High Court had stayed the August 13 and 15 exams for the section engineer post after BSc engineering degree holders filed a petition seeking the order.
Joydebpur Railway Station Master Abul Hossain confirmed that train services returned to normal once the students cleared the tracks.