C T Online Desk: At least six passenger trains have been stuck as the protesting students of Rajshahi University (RU) have stopped the rail communication on the Rajshahi-Dhaka route by setting fire to the railway line to press home their demands following Saturday’s clash with the locals.
At around 8:00pm, the students set fire to the rail line near Charukola point, adjacent to Rajshahi University Railway Station.
Western Railway General Manager (GM) Asim Kumar Talukder confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune and said the train communication will be resumed after permission from the administration.
He said that four trains were stuck following the incident. The Titumir Express from Chilahati and the Sagardani and Madhumati Express from Khulna were unable to reach Rajshahi railway station while the Banglabandha Express train did not depart from Rajshahi at 9pm.
On Saturday night, the students took a stand by throwing tree stumps on the railway line. Following the university authorities’ intervention, the train movement resumed when the students left at around 3am.
Meanwhile, eight RU students have gone on a fast-unto-death to press home their seven-point demand, including the proctor’s removal.
Additionally, police arrested a man following Sunday’s clash between RU students and locals.
There is still tension between the students in the university area. They complained about the negligence of the administration.
In the afternoon, Rajshahi University Registrar Prof M Abdus Salam filed a case against 400-500 unidentified people in Motihar police station.
Earlier, the students protested on Sunday morning by hanging the lock in the administration building. After that, the administration of the university asked the students to sit for discussion, but they did not respond.
In addition, the students are still holding programs in the university raising some demands.
More than 200 people, including campus journalists, were injured in a clash that broke out between Rajshahi University students, and locals.
The injured were taken to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) by bus as they could not be accommodated in the university’s medical centre.
The incident took place near the Binodpur gate of the university on Saturday. The clash allegedly took place over bus seats.
At least 10 campus journalists were reportedly injured while covering the incident.
During the clash, the students set fire to several shops in the area, and the police box adjacent to the Binodpur gate of the university was also vandalized.
