Rail communication linking Rajshahi to the remainder of the country was thrown into complete paralysis on Tuesday as students from Rajshahi University (RU) mounted a blockade on a railway line adjacent to their campus following the alleged violent assault of a peer by a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE).

The demonstration erupted near the university's Fine Arts area, where protesting students halted all rail traffic to demand legal accountability and disciplinary action against the accused TTE.

Protesters alleged that the railway official physically beat a student who had spoken out against the practice of collecting cash fares from passengers without issuing valid receipts.

As a direct result of the track obstruction, all outgoing departures from Rajshahi Railway Station—including the Dhaka-bound Bonolota Express and Silk City Express—were grounded from the early morning hours, while several incoming trains bound for Rajshahi were stranded mid-journey, subjecting thousands of commuters to severe disruption and hardship.

The victim of the alleged physical assault was identified as Forkan Uddin, a student in his 2019–20 academic session within RU’s Department of Law.

Recounting the ordeal, Forkan stated that he was traveling back to Rajshahi from Dhaka aboard the Padma Express when he observed TTEs demanding fare payments directly from passengers without providing printed tickets.

“I protested and asked why they were taking money without issuing tickets, as railway revenue belongs to the state,” Forkan explained.

He alleged that following his protest, multiple TTEs ambushed him from behind and forcibly dragged him into the vestibule connecting two train coaches, where they repeatedly struck him on the neck and back.

Forkan further asserted that his attackers attempted to hurl him out of a moving train window. Although he managed to break free and escape, his eyeglasses were smashed during the struggle, leading him to demand immediate, exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

The news of the assault sparked widespread anger across the student body, prompting an immediate shutdown of the rail line near the campus.

Protesting students declared that no trains would be permitted to pass through the zone until their grievances were fully addressed, specifically demanding that the accused TTE, identified as Suman, be brought to the scene to face public accountability and formal legal proceedings.

Ariful Islam, General Secretary of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union, voiced deep frustration over systemic issues within the rail network, noting that operational irregularities and the harassment of passengers who challenge corrupt practices have become routine occurrences.

“Train movement will remain suspended until the authorities ensure proper justice and compensation for the victim,” Islam stated.

The protest drew strong backing from student leadership. Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar arrived at the blockade site to express direct solidarity with the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, RAKSU Vice-President Mostakur Rahman Zahid issued a statement on Facebook backing the movement, demanding a public apology from the accused official along with rigorous legal prosecution.

Addressing the situation, RU Proctor Prof. Dr. Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that a student had suffered a severe physical assault at the hands of railway staff the previous night.

While acknowledging the temporary inconvenience caused to traveling passengers, the proctor emphasized that the core demands raised by the student body were entirely justified, adding that university officials were actively engaged in multi-party negotiations to broker a swift resolution.

Representatives from Bangladesh Railway, university administrators, and law enforcement personnel converged on the scene to negotiate with the student leaders in an effort to clear the tracks and restore normal rail operations.

Farid Ahmed, General Manager of Bangladesh Railway’s Western Zone, confirmed that dialogue with the protesting students was actively progressing, expressing optimism that a mutually agreeable outcome would be achieved shortly.

However, as of the latest reports, the blockade remains firmly in place, leaving numerous passengers stranded at Rajshahi Railway Station as widespread transit disruptions persist.