P-8

TDS Desk:

Train communications resumed in parts of the country on Wednesday after Bangladesh Railway’s running staff called off their strike.

The decision to withdraw the strike that had halted trains for 26 hours came from a meeting between Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and representatives of the running staff late on Tuesday.

The decision was announced at 2:45am on Wednesday.

Md Mojibur Rahman, general secretary of the Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers Union, said: “The adviser has promised to resolve our issues quickly through the finance ministry by tomorrow (Wednesday). We do not want public suffering. I am sorry. I have now withdrawn the work stoppage. I will tell my running staff brothers to go back to work.”

Following the announcement, two trains left Rajshahi Railway Station early in the morning.

Of them, the Khulna- and Dhaka-bound Sagardari and Madhumati trains left the station at 6:05am and 6:50am respectively.

Moreover, the Banalata Express left Chapainawabganj Railway Station for Rajshahi in the morning.

Passengers travelling by train said most seats remained vacant due to the late announcement of the withdrawal.

Bangladesh Railway’s running staff had started an indefinite work abstention at midnight on Monday across the country to demand special post-retirement allowances and other benefits.