A protest in Mohakhali turned violent on Monday when demonstrators, demanding university status for Govt Titumir College, attacked a moving train with stones, reportedly injuring several passengers, including children.
The protest, which began around 11am, saw students block both the rail and roadways near the Mohakhali rail gate, causing widespread disruptions to traffic and train services.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters stood on the railway tracks, forcing two intercity trains to halt. One of the trains, the Agnibina Express, bound for Jamalpur, and the Banalata Express, travelling to Dhaka from Chapainawabganj, were unable to proceed.
The blockade caused a complete shutdown of rail connectivity between Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Amid the protest, stones were hurled at a moving train, injuring several passengers onboard. One of the injured was a child, who was struck by the debris. Authorities confirmed that the train managed to continue its journey despite the attack.
Banani police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Russell Sarwar described the situation as "critical," with both rail and road traffic at a standstill.
"The students are blocking the rail crossing, throwing stones at moving trains, which has caused injuries. Vehicular traffic in surrounding areas like Banani and Jahangir Gate is also halted, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded," he said.
As railway police rushed to the scene, Dhaka railway police OC Joynal Abedin emphasized that such actions jeopardized public safety.
"Stopping a train without proper signal protocol can lead to even greater accidents. Thankfully, the drivers acted swiftly, preventing a worse outcome," he said.
Authorities are working to clear the protest site and restore normal train operations, he said.
