Railway strike: Leaders exit meeting without reaching an agreement
The strike has brought train operations to a standstill across the country.
A two-hour meeting aimed at resolving the ongoing strike by railway running staff ended without resolution on Tuesday, as leaders walked out without reaching an agreement. The meeting, chaired by Railways Ministry Secretary Md Fahimul Islam, took place in the VIP room of Dhaka Railway Station. Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, special assistant to the BNP chairperson and coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, was also in attendance.
The discussions began at 1:30 pm but ended inconclusively at 2:45 pm when the running staff’s representative, Saidus Rahman, exited the meeting.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Saidus Rahman stated, "We had an extensive discussion with the Railways Secretary and the Director General, but no agreement was reached. I left the meeting to consult with our central leadership. However, we are firm in our decision to continue the strike."
The nationwide strike, which began early Tuesday, has brought train operations to a halt, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated.
Kamalapur Railway Station presented an unusual sight of quiet on Tuesday morning, with its typically crowded ticket counters standing eerily empty. Passengers, many unaware of the strike, arrived at the station only to face significant difficulties. Families traveling to destinations such as Mymensingh, Netrokona, Rajshahi, and Cox’s Bazar were left stranded in the chilly winter morning.
Frustrated travelers voiced their concerns over the lack of prior communication. "We weren’t informed the trains wouldn’t operate. Now we’re stuck here with no backup options," one passenger said, expressing their dismay.
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