Minister: Trains coming under attacks during BNP programs

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan has said railways are facing constant attacks during the BNP’s blockades and hartals, seriously hampering rail services.

The minister was speaking at a press conference organized at Railway Bhaban on Tuesday about some recent attacks on railways in different parts of Bangladesh.

Four people, including a woman and her son, were killed as arsonists set three coaches of the Mohonganj Express coming from Netrokona on fire in the early hours of Tuesday, less than an hour before the start of a hartal called by the BNP.

Sujan decided not to put the blame on anyone, saying nothing can be said for certain without proper investigation.

Referring to trains as the only safe transport during past strikes, blockades, and political violence, the minister said: "However, there have been some attacks on railways lately, endangering the safety of passengers."

"They (BNP) enforce programs like hartals and blockades on weekdays, except for two days. The attacks on railways took place on these days.”

A commuter train was set ablaze in Tangail on November 16. Two coaches of the train were damaged. 

Then on November 19, miscreants set fire to the Jamuna Express in Jamalpur. Two coaches of the train were damaged. 

On November 22, the Upaban Express was set on fire while it was parked at Sylhet station. Although there were no casualties, one compartment was damaged.

Miscreants cut off 20 feet of railway track at Rajendrapur in Gazipur on December 13, causing six coaches of the Mohonganj Express, running from Netrokona to Dhaka, to derail. One person was killed and around 50 passengers were injured. 

Highlighting the details of these incidents as well as Tuesday’s, the minister said: “Sabotage and vandalism are impeding safe railway journey. Violence related to railways has been increasing since October 28.”

In response to a question about what steps have been taken to reduce accidents on railways, he said: "I have spoken to the Railway Nirapatta Bahini and the police. I have spoken to the home minister about cooperation on railways.”

The minister said: "If miscreants pose as passengers to get on trains and cause sabotage, it becomes impossible for the railway authorities to control it. The BNP and Jamaat did the same thing in 2013-14.”

“The BNP can hold political programs but must not commit acts of violence,” said Railways Minister Sujan.

“Many parts of the railway line from Karnaphuli Bridge to Cox's Bazar have been removed in the name of theft so that trains cannot operate. They think it is possible to implement the program by causing such sabotage. BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi condemned the incident, but it would not have happened if they had not called the hartal.”