Frustrated passengers vandalize Rajshahi railway station and demand ticket refunds

Due to a nationwide suspension of train services caused by a strike by railway running staff, agitated passengers vandalized Rajshahi Railway Station and later claimed refunds for their tickets before departing.  

Hundreds of passengers staged protests and damaged station property between 7:00 am and 8:00 am on Tuesday. They broke chairs and tables in the traveling ticket examiners' (TTE) room, as other rooms were locked.  

The situation was brought under control after army personnel arrived at the scene. According to Rajshahi railway station manager Moin Uddin, ticket refunds were provided to passengers—those with counter-purchased tickets received cash refunds, while online ticket buyers were reimbursed through mobile banking. The station was secured, and operations were stabilized by around 9:00 am.  

Train services have been halted nationwide since midnight on Monday due to the strike. No trains had departed Rajshahi from midnight to early morning, despite six trains being scheduled to run between early morning and 9:00 am. However, the Padma Express, which departed Dhaka on Monday night, successfully reached Rajshahi earlier in the morning.  

The strike by railway running staff, which includes train drivers, assistant drivers, guards, and ticket inspectors, was initiated over demands for pensions, gratuities, running allowances, and other benefits alongside basic salaries. Aminul Islam, convener of the Rajshahi Running Staff Oikya Parishad, stated that the strike will continue until their demands are met or the central committee withdraws the program.  

Despite the disruptions, some passengers continued to wait at the station, hoping for a resolution. Nargis Begum, 40, along with her family, had traveled from Darshana for medical treatment and was waiting for the Sagardari Express train. Similarly, Abdul Mannan, 64, from Rajbari district, had been waiting for the Madhumati Express since morning.  

Moniruddin, 75, and his wife from Chuadanga, had been stranded at the station since 5:00 am after coming to Rajshahi for a medical appointment. Like many others, they remained helpless and uncertain about their travel plans.