Rajshahi railway station vandalised after university student assaulted

Train services from Rajshahi to destinations across the country were disrupted after protesting students vandalised Rajshahi Railway Station, set fire to parts of Rajshahi University Railway Station and blocked the railway tracks following the alleged assault of a university student.

The disruption began late Sunday night after a Rajshahi University student was allegedly beaten and harassed by railway security personnel and employees at Rajshahi Railway Station. Train services resumed from 6:20am on Monday, according to the officer-in-charge of Rajshahi Railway Police Station.

The incident reportedly began around 9:30pm when an argument broke out between a student of the university’s Department of English and railway security personnel, including Ansar members, and employees at the station. The student was allegedly assaulted by railway staff during the altercation.

Ayub, a student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture from the 2022-23 academic session, then went to protest the incident. Witnesses alleged that Ansar members and railway employees present at the station assaulted Ayub, leaving him seriously injured and bleeding.

Other students began protesting after seeing Ayub lying injured at the scene. Around midnight, protesters vandalised Rajshahi Railway Station, set fire to the Rajshahi University Railway Station and blocked the railway tracks.

The blockade disrupted train services from Rajshahi to other parts of the country, leaving several trains stranded at different stations and causing significant difficulties for passengers.

The students said they would continue their protest until those responsible were arrested and given exemplary punishment.

Visiting Ayub at the hospital, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Faridul Islam described the incident as “extremely unfortunate” and said the railway employees had assaulted the student brutally.

“I have spoken to a neurosurgeon. He has been kept under observation for 24 hours. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

The vice-chancellor also said the university strongly condemned the alleged conduct of railway security personnel, ticket examiners and guards involved in the incident.

“Alongside giving the highest priority to his treatment, I strongly protest such behaviour by railway security personnel, TTs and guards. I have requested the higher authorities and police to take swift disciplinary action against those involved.”

Meanwhile, four Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) members have been temporarily suspended over the incident, according to a notice issued Sunday night and signed by Western Railway Chief Commandant Md Ashabul Islam.

The suspended members are Md Arif Hossain (staff no C-989), Md Rokon Uddin (C-883), Md Shafiqul Islam (C-1321) and Md Shahadat Hossain (C-600). They have been instructed to report daily to the commandant or headquarters until further orders.

Faisal Bin Ahsan, officer-in-charge of Rajshahi Railway Police Station, told The Daily Campus that train services resumed at 6:20am Monday.

“Two trains have already left Rajshahi for Dhaka,” he said.