Protest over 'unsuitable' train: Special service for July Declaration delayed in Rajshahi
They blocked the railway track, preventing the departure of the special train as well as Silkcity Express, which was also set to leave for Dhaka
The Dhaka-bound special train allocated for the July Declaration ceremony, along with the Silkcity Express, was delayed by about an hour this morning (5 August) after a protest broke out at Rajshahi Railway Station over the quality of the reserved train.
Protesters claimed the train allocated by the railway department was not suitable for the journey.
At around 7:15am, students and other passengers scheduled to travel on the special train for the July Declaration reading ceremony in Dhaka today began demonstrating on platform number one.
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They blocked the railway track, preventing the departure of the special train as well as Silkcity Express, which was also set to leave for Dhaka.
Protesters said the special train was not fit for long-distance travel and would not be able to reach Dhaka in a timely manner. Demanding better carriages, they refused to allow either train to depart.
Tension later arose when the protesters became divided over the demand.
One group eventually agreed to travel on the special train, while the other boarded the Silkcity Express. Both trains left the station approximately an hour behind schedule.
Rajshahi Railway Station Manager Shahidul Islam said the trains allocated were of sufficient quality and described the incident as a "misunderstanding".
The special train was scheduled to pick up passengers from Rajshahi, Ishwardi in Pabna, Sirajganj, and Tangail on its way to Dhaka.
Notably, the government had arranged several trains to transport students and other participants from across the country to attend the reading of the July Declaration in the capital today.
