Masud Rana:

Hundreds of people from all walks of life including teachers, students, political and cultural personalities on Sunday formed a human chain in front of Haimabala Girls High School in the town demanding resumption of Sirajganj Express Train operation.

Saidur Rahman Bachchu, Secretary General of Sirajganj District BNP and Member of BNP’s Central Executive Committee attended the programme as chief guest.

Headmaster of Haimabala Girls High School Abdullah Hel Kafi, its Assistant Teacher Shamim Ara Begum Laz, Sagor Kumar Sarker and student Umama Binte Aziz among others addressed on the occasion.

Speakers in the programme said, Sirajganj was known as town of train since the British regime. Then, there were four railway stations in Sirajganj town. But, the stations along with the movement of trains were made closure gradually at intervals of time.

At one stage, on the face of movements carried out several times by Sirajganj dwellers, the authorities concerned were forced to resume the operation of Sirajganj Express train.

But, the train movement was shut down again after a section of miscreants attacked and vandalized Sirajganj Bazar Railway Station on August 4 during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

The attackers also set fire to the ticket counters and other installations of the Railway Station at that time.

After the incident, the railway station has not yet been restored as well.

Besides, the movements of train from the station have been remained closed causing sufferings to the local commuters.

The demonstrators urged the authorities concerned to resume the operation of all trains from Sirajganj Bazar Station as soon as possible.