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Rail communication between Rajshahi and the rest of the country was disrupted on Tuesday morning after students of Rajshahi University (RU) blocked railway tracks, protesting the alleged assault of a law student by a travelling ticket examiner (TTE).
The incident reportedly occurred early in the day aboard the Dhaka-bound Padma Express while it was passing through Sirajganj.
The victim, Furkan Uddin, a student of RU’s law department, alleged that TTEs Suman and Raju were collecting money from ticketless passengers without issuing receipts. When he protested, he was allegedly beaten and taken to the train’s doorway, where an attempt was made to push him off the moving train.
In response, students began a blockade near the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts gate around 6:30am, halting rail services on the route. As a result, the Dhaka-bound Bonolota Express and Silk City Express remained stranded at Rajshahi Railway Station, causing significant disruption for passengers.
Following the incident, accused TTE Suman was suspended.
Protesting students placed four key demands: that the accused be produced before them; that he be permanently dismissed and face legal action over alleged bribery and attempted murder; that the victim receive compensation; and that all long-distance trains make a scheduled stop at Rajshahi University Railway Station.
RU Proctor Dr Mahbubur Rahman said the university administration is working to resolve the situation and will hold discussions with railway authorities. He added that the vice-chancellor has already spoken with the students, and the university will pursue legal action over the matter.