Protesters Block Trains at Rajendrapur in Gazipur, Disrupting the Dhaka–Mymensingh Rail Line All Morning

Local residents blockaded the railway at Rajendrapur Railway Station in Gazipur on Saturday morning, demanding stoppages of the Jamuna and Hawr Express trains. The protesters stopped the Tista and Jamuna Express trains and forced them to make a halt. Train services on the Dhaka–Mymensingh rail line were disrupted.

The protest began at around 6am on Saturday (14 November) in the Rajendrapur Railway Station area. After assurances from the upazila administration, the blockade was withdrawn and train services returned to normal at around 10am.

Local residents said that although Rajendrapur Railway Station is an important one, neither the Jamuna nor the Hawr Express stops there. They have long been pressing the demand with the railway authorities, and, having received no effective decision, were forced to take to the tracks in protest.

Md Faruk Hossain, in-charge of the Joydebpur Railway Police outpost, said local residents began the protest at around 6am demanding stoppages of the Jamuna and Hawr Express trains. At one stage they positioned themselves in front of the engine of the Tista Express and hung a red banner. They were later persuaded to move away from there.

Faruk Hossain also said the protesters again took position in front of the Dhaka-bound Jamuna Express at around 9am. On receiving the news, officials of the Sreepur upazila administration and police went to the spot. When assurances were given regarding their demand, the protesters withdrew their programme.

Passengers suffered as two trains remained held up for a long time at Rajendrapur Railway Station.

Once the blockade was lifted following the assurances, train services on the Dhaka–Mymensingh line returned to normal at around 10am.