Rajshahi University students lift rail blockade after authorities suspend ticket examiner over assault allegations
Students at Rajshahi University lifted a rail blockade on Thursday afternoon, restoring train services after railway authorities and the divisional commissioner agreed to address grievances regarding the alleged assault of a student by a ticket examiner. The protest, which paralyzed regional rail operations for several hours, concluded at 3:20 p.m. following assurances that the demonstrators' four-point demand would be met.
The unrest began after a student from the university’s law department, Forkan Uddin, was allegedly assaulted by a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) named Sumon Ali. The confrontation occurred Monday night aboard the Padma Express as the student was traveling from Dhaka to Rajshahi; according to the student, he had intervened to protest the official’s practice of collecting unauthorized fees from passengers without issuing receipts.
In response to the incident, students blocked the railway tracks near the university campus early Thursday, effectively cutting off Rajshahi from the national rail network. The blockade caused significant travel disruptions, impacting at least 10 major train services, including the Padma, Banolata, Silk City, Mahananda, and Dhumketu Express. Railway officials noted that while tracks have been cleared, the service backlog resulted in several cancellations and lingering scheduling delays.
Following a high-level meeting involving university administrators, police, and rail officials, authorities announced that the accused ticket examiner, Sumon Ali, has been suspended. Furthermore, two separate investigative committees have been established—one managed by railway authorities and another including an additional district magistrate and university representatives—to review the incident.
The agreement also guarantees medical support for the injured student and the reinstatement of nighttime stops for several express trains at the Rajshahi University station. Divisional Commissioner A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid confirmed that all demands were accepted to ensure such incidents are not repeated, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for August 6 to monitor progress.
Student representative Salahuddin Ammar officially called off the protest, expressing satisfaction with the resolution. While apologizing to passengers for the travel disruption, he emphasized that the blockade was a necessary measure to ensure long-term accountability within the railway system.
