BCL 'kidnaps' CU shuttle train operator

Shuttle train services between Chittagong University (CU) and the port city were halted since Tuesday night, as a faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at the university abducted the operator of the train.

A BCL faction led by former CU BCL leader Rakib Hossain allegedly abducted the shuttle train operator as part of their blockade programme on the CU campus.

The operator, Ali Riaz, was picked up from Sholoshohor rail station around 9:20pm, said Station Master Shahab Uddin.

Police rescued Ali Riaz from Pahartoli area in Chittagong city two hours later, he added.

Train operators suspended the shuttle operations “fearing recurrence of such incidents,” said Jahangir Hossain, divisional manager of Bangladesh Railway (east zone).

Following the vice chancellor's assurance of providing police protection, the operators agreed to resume the shuttle operations from today as per schedule, he told The Daily Star last night.

CU Proctor Ali Asgar Chowdhury told journalists that former CU BCL leader Rakib and his sister Rezwana Benazir Bonna on Tuesday had “threatened to enforce a strike at the university” after their demand -- of recruiting 13 people at the university under third and fourth grade categories -- was refused by VC Prof Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury.

CU authorities are scheduled to hold a syndicate meeting on May 31 to recruit third and fourth grade employees for the university.

They made the demand to the VC after handing over a list of the 13 people in a letter with BCL letterhead, the proctor said, adding that Rakib is accused in a number of cases filed with Hathazari Police Station for various criminal offences.

Rakib hung up a call when he was contacted over phone for comments.