Railway blockade in Sirajganj halts train connections between Dhaka and northern regions

Students protesting for a permanent campus of Rabindra University are blocking the railway track at Ullapara Railway Station in Sirajganj. The program, which began at 9 am on Wednesday (August 13) and continued till 1 pm despite rain and inclement weather.

Due to the blockade, rail connections between Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and Rangpur divisions have been suspended. Western Railway General Manager Farid Ahmed said that 6 trains are stranded on both sides. Among them, Chilahati Express, Silk City Express, Ekta Express, Dhumketu Express, Rangpur Express and an oil train are standing at various stations.

The students said that they have been continuously protesting since July 26 demanding approval of the DPP for the permanent campus. The decision to block the railways has been taken after no response was received despite a 48-hour ultimatum. They alleged that the university is still running in a rented building as a permanent campus has not been built even after 9 years, which is causing extreme suffering to teachers, students and employees.

The protesters demanded the resignation of Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, claiming that her opposition was the main obstacle in passing the DPP. At the time, the students announced that the agitation would continue until their demands were met and that they would not return home.