Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has arranged a special train to transport over 2,500 activists from Chattogram to Dhaka ahead of a planned rally at Shahbagh on Sunday.
In addition to a fleet of hired buses, the organisation has secured a full 20-coach train to carry its members to the capital. The train rental will cost an estimated Tk 10 lakh, which is being raised through contributions from senior party members and activists, according to Chattogram City Chhatra Dal leaders.
On Wednesday, the city unit submitted a formal request to Bangladesh Railway to lease the train. The following day, authorities confirmed the arrangement, and an urgent circular was issued by the Eastern Railway Zone instructing railway officials in Chattogram and Dhaka to facilitate the special service.
According to the notice, a PHT-type special train with 20 carriages will run on the Chattogram–Dhaka–Chattogram route at the request of Chhatra Dal. The train has a capacity of 1,126 passengers.
The special train is scheduled to depart from Chattogram at 7:15am on 3 August and arrive in Dhaka at 1:15pm. Following the rally, it will depart Kamalapur Station at 7:00pm and return to Chattogram by 1:00am on 4 August. Railway Security Force (RNB) personnel will be deployed at both Dhaka and Chattogram stations during the trip.
Speaking to Samakal, Chattogram City Chhatra Dal President Saiful Alam said, “We have arranged both buses and a special train to join Sunday’s rally in Dhaka. Bangladesh Railway has approved the request for the round trip. The cost is being covered through contributions from our members and senior well-wishers.”
JCD to host “peaceful student rally” at Shahbagh on Sunday, 3 August
Central unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is taking preparations to stage its much-anticipated grand student rally at Shahbagh intersection on Sunday, 3 August, after relocating the event from the Central Shaheed Minar in response to a request from the National Citizen Party (NCP). Although JCD had secured permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to use the Shaheed Minar venue months in advance, the organisation chose to shift venue to avoid any conflict, in what its leaders described as a demonstration of political tolerance and respect for democratic coexistence.
The rally on Sunday is organised to commemorate the first anniversary of the July 2024 student uprising. JCD issued six directives to maintain public safety, including bans on placards and processions, and instructions to keep key ambulance routes clear. JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib apologised in advance for any inconvenience to the public. He said the decision to move the rally was made to uphold unity and avoid disruption.