Rail communication with Rajshahi disrupted by blockade over TTE assault on RU student

Rail communication between Rajshahi and the rest of the country became disrupted this morning (21 July) after students of Rajshahi University blocked railway tracks to protest the alleged assault of a law student by a travelling ticket examiner (TTE).

The incident took place early today aboard the Dhaka-bound Padma Express as it was passing through Sirajganj.

The victim, Furkan Uddin, a student from the university’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 up before being taken to the train’s doorway and faced an attempt to push him off the moving train.

In protest, students blocked the railway line near the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts gate from around 6:30am, disrupting rail services between Rajshahi and the rest of the country. 

The Dhaka-bound Bonolota Express and Silk City Express remained stranded at Rajshahi Railway Station at the time of reporting, causing inconvenience to passengers.

Accused TTE Suman was later suspended.

The protesting students placed four demands: that the accused be produced before them in person; that he be permanently dismissed and face legal action over the “bribery” and “attempted murder”; that the victim be compensated; 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 set to hold a meeting with railway authorities to end the blockade. 

He added that the vice-chancellor has spoken with the students at the scene and that the university will also take legal action.