Train communication between Rajshahi and the rest of the country resumed on Tuesday afternoon after students of Rajshahi University (RU) withdrew their railway blockade following a 10-hour protest.
The students announced the suspension of their movement until 6 August following a meeting where their key demands were met.
The decision to withdraw the blockade was announced at 3:30pm at the RU Faculty of Fine Arts gate by the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) General Secretary (GS) Salahuddin Ammar, in the presence of the University Proctor, Professor Mahbubur Rahman.
The protest was sparked by an incident on Monday night involving Forkan Uddin, a student of the RU Law Department. While travelling from Dhaka to Rajshahi on the Padma Express, Forkan reportedly protested against a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) for “unethical” bribe-taking.
In response, the TTE and several others allegedly harassed and physically assaulted the student, even attempting to push him off the moving train.
When students reported the matter to the railway station at 6:30am on Tuesday and received no positive response, they proceeded to block the rail lines to demand justice.
The blockade caused significant disruption, for which Salahuddin apologised to the public, saying that the struggle was necessary to fight against a “syndicate”.
Following the blockade, a meeting was held at the divisional commissioner’s office involving student representatives, university administration, and railway officials.
Divisional Commissioner ANM Bazlur Rashid confirmed that all four demands placed by the students were accepted. Key decisions reached during the meeting included the temporary suspension of the accused TTE and the formation of two investigation committees.
One committee will be formed by the railway authorities, while a second high-level committee will include a magistrate, members of the Railway Security Force, and representatives from Rajshahi University.
It was also agreed that the victim would receive necessary medical treatment and that three trains- the Padma Express, Titumir Express, and Sagardari Express- would initially be granted stoppages at the Rajshahi University station.
Proctor Proff Mahbubur Rahman said the university administration had ensured punishment for the harassment of the student and urged the protesters to consider the suffering of passengers.
A formal follow-up meeting under the supervision of the divisional commissioner is scheduled for 6 August to review the progress of these decisions.
