BR workers’ demo halt train services for 5hrs

Temporary workers of Bangladesh Railway yesterday staged a sit-in at Malibagh level crossing in Dhaka, demanding job regularisation.

The protest led to a halt in train services between Dhaka and the rest of the country for more than five hours, starting at 10:00am at Malibagh.

The services resumed after police intervened and dispersed the protesting workers by charging batons around 2:15pm.

Superintendent of Dhaka Railway Police, Anwar Hossain, confirmed that seven individuals were detained during the operation.

"We have long been petitioning with the authorities concerned for their permanent job status. However, despite engaging with Director General and Secretary of Bangladesh Railways, the issue remains unresolved. We now hope for the Prime Minister's intervention to resolve the issue," said Mokhlesur Rahman, a protester.

Meanwhile, eight trains failed to run as per their schedules due to the sit-in, causing inconvenience to the passengers waiting at Kamalapur Railway Station for hours. However, the ticket prices, purchased both online and offline, were refunded.

Kamalapur station manager Mohammad Masud Sarwar said, "Train services resumed around 2:30pm."