Rail communication between Rajshahi and the rest of the country remained suspended on Tuesday after students of Rajshahi University (RU) blocked railway tracks, alleging that a fellow student was assaulted by a travelling ticket examiner (TT) on the Padma Express.
Students began the blockade on the railway line adjacent to the university campus in the morning, demanding exemplary punishment for the accused TT.
As a result, no trains, including the Banalata Express and Silk City Express, could depart from Rajshahi Railway Station, while trains bound for Rajshahi also remained stranded. The disruption left hundreds of passengers waiting at stations or seeking alternative transport.
According to the protesters, a student from the university's Law Department was allegedly assaulted after protesting against fare collection without issuing a receipt on the Padma Express. They also alleged that the TT later forced the student to get off the train at a station.
Following the incident, students demanded the immediate suspension of the accused TT, identified as Suman, and legal action against him. They vowed to continue the blockade until their demands were met.
Passengers expressed frustration over the disruption.
Aminul Islam, who was scheduled to travel to Dhaka on the Banalata Express, said he had been waiting at Rajshahi Railway Station since morning.
"I have urgent work in Dhaka, but no one can tell me when the train will leave," he said.
Another passenger, Sharmin Akhter, said she was unable to attend an important office meeting because of the suspension.
"The authorities should resolve the issue quickly so that passengers do not suffer," she said.
Railway officials, university authorities and law enforcement agencies were holding talks with the protesting students in an effort to restore train services.
Farid Ahmed, general manager of Bangladesh Railway's Western Zone, said discussions were underway and expressed hope that a solution would be reached soon.
However, as of filing this report, the blockade continued and train services remained suspended.
