Mymensingh train driver abandons locomotive, leaving passengers behind

The locomotive master of a passenger-filled train fled after arriving at Mymensingh Railway Station from Netrokona’s Mohanganj amid a work stoppage by railway running staff. 

The incident triggered outrage among passengers, who detained the station superintendent. The train, carrying over 500 passengers, was the Dhaka-bound Haor Express, which reached the station around 10:30 am on Tuesday, according to Akter Hossain, chief of Mymensingh Railway Station.

Superintendent Nazmul Haque Khan said, “Passengers have confined me, and I can’t leave. I’ve informed higher authorities to seek a solution. I also can’t contact the locomotive master, who abandoned the train and left me in this situation.”

Passenger Jubair Ahmed, traveling to Dhaka with his ill uncle, expressed frustration, saying, “The train reached Mymensingh from Mohanganj but isn’t heading to Dhaka. This has left me in a difficult position.”

Another passenger, Hasanul Haque, voiced his grievances: “If the train isn’t going to Dhaka, why was it allowed to depart Mohanganj in the first place? And why aren’t ticket prices being refunded? That’s why we’ve detained the superintendent—he won’t be released until there’s a solution.”

The railway running staff began an indefinite strike at midnight on Tuesday, demanding that running allowances be included in their basic pay for pension and gratuity benefits. This strike has disrupted train services nationwide, leaving passengers stranded. 

The Ministry of Railways assured in a statement that ticket refunds would be provided for canceled trips. Meanwhile, Akter Hossain, in-charge of Mymensingh Railway Police, said, “Additional police have been deployed to maintain order. We’re working to calm passengers and are discussing alternative arrangements to send them to Dhaka.”