Train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet routes were disrupted for over two hours on Monday after protesters in Bhairab blocked the railway demanding that the upazila be declared a district.
The demonstration, held at Bhairab Bazar Railway Junction from around 10:00am, turned violent when stones were hurled at trains and police, leaving at least 20 passengers injured.
Witnesses said hundreds of locals occupied the tracks, chanting slogans such as "Bhairab zila chai." The Dhaka-bound Upakul Express and Karnaphuli Express were among several trains stranded, while others were halted at nearby stations.
Railway officials confirmed that at least five trains were delayed, including the Karnaphuli Express, Titas Commuter, and Chattala Express. Passengers expressed frustration as the blockade dragged on.
During Monday’s railway blockade, speakers including Bhairab BNP President Md Rafiqul Islam, General Secretary Md Ariful Islam, and student leaders Mohammad Zahidul and Mawlana Shahriar said that people's patience is running thin.
"We've been demonstrating peacefully for 15 days, but the interim government hasn't responded. Today, we blocked the railway for an hour after observing a two-hour road blockade on October 26. If our demand is ignored, we'll go for indefinite road, rail, and river blockades," said one of the speakers.
Responding to the violence, student leader Shahriar claimed, "A vested group tried to sabotage our peaceful movement by throwing stones. We decided to end the programme early, considering the passengers' suffering."
Bhairab Railway Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sayeed Ahmed said train operations were restored after discussions with local leaders and higher authorities. "We're investigating the stone-throwing incident and will identify those responsible," he said.
The agitation follows weeks of protests after the Reform Commission under the Ministry of Public Administration proposed including Kishoreganj district in the Mymensingh Division on October 11. Many in Bhairab, currently under Kishoreganj, reacted angrily and began demanding district status for the upazila.
Protesters had earlier blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway and the Bhairab-Kishoreganj Regional Highway yesterday. They also announced plans to enforce a waterway blockade on the Meghna River on Tuesday.
