A student of Rajshahi University (RU) was injured and admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital following an alleged assault by Ansar members.
In protest against the incident, RU students took position on the railway tracks at RU Railway Station at around 11pm. Demonstrating students set fire on the railway line, leaving the Dhaka-bound Dhumketu Express train stranded at Rajshahi Station.
The injured student has been identified as Ayub Ali, a student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Salman Sabbir stated that Ansar members detained and assaulted the student without any justification at Rajshahi Railway Station.
He added that in a previous incident at the station, another student was detained, beaten, and held hostage inside a room.
Salman Sabbir further noted that students are repeatedly subjected to harassment and torture by railway employees, officials, and Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) around the railway line and station.
He said the sit-in programme was staged to protest these actions and prevent their recurrence.
When contacted regarding the matter, West Zone Railway General Manager Ahammad Hossain Masum declared that such violence is completely unacceptable.
He informed that CCTV footage of the incident is being collected to be handed over to intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities, assuring that those involved will be relieved of their duties.
Meanwhile, RU Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman attributed the situation to a lack of professionalism on the part of the railway authorities.
He added that had effective measures been taken by the authorities in advance, the university community would not have to face such incidents continuously.
