Committee to probe Chittagong train derailment

A four-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the derailment of a train in Ambaria area of Mirsarai upazila in Chittagong.

Divisional Transport Officer Firoz Iftekhar will head the committee, Chittagong Railway Station Manager Abul Kalam Azad said.

Rail communication of Chittagong with Dhaka and Sylhet has been cut off as a train derailed after miscreants removed fishplates from the railway tracks in Ambaria area early Monday.

Following the incident, railways authorities have cancelled the schedule of five trains from Chittagong.

The ongoing countrywide blockade has been marked by explosions, arson and vandalism on road, rail and waterways.

Hundreds of vehicles were burnt and attacked by miscreants during the non-stop blockade.

The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been enforcing a nationwide roads and waterways blockade since January 5, protesting BNP chief Khaleda Zia's confinement.

Blockade-related violence has killed at least 40 people over the last few weeks.