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Students of Rajshahi University (RU) vandalised Rajshahi Railway Station early Monday in protest against the alleged assault of a university student by railway security personnel.
The incident took place after RU student Aiyub Ali, a student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture from the 2022-23 academic session, was allegedly beaten at the railway station on Sunday night.
He is currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
According to students, Aiyub had gone to the station to receive his uncle.
At the time, two students from RU’s English Department got into an argument with Ansar members on duty at the station. Aiyub reportedly intervened in support of the students and was subsequently assaulted.
In protest, students blocked the railway line near the university around 11pm, setting fire to the tracks. The Dhaka-bound Dhumketu Express was held up near Harian as the protesters later moved towards Rajshahi Railway Station.
Around midnight, the students allegedly vandalised several parts of the station, including glass windows, dustbins, shops, offices of railway officials and employees, signboards and CCTV cameras. The railway police station, parcel office and railway security office were also damaged.
The protesters left the station around 1:30am following efforts by the university’s proctorial body to calm the situation.
Meanwhile, four members of the Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) have been temporarily suspended in connection with the incident.
Western Railway Director General Ahmed Hossain Masum said such violence was unacceptable. He said CCTV footage of the incident was being collected and would be sent to intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities.
He urged the students not to take the law into their own hands, saying legal action would be taken against those responsible.