BAU students block railway, train services halted on Dhaka-Mymensingh route

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have blocked the railway tracks at Jobbarer Mor for the second consecutive day, disrupting train services on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route. The protest began at 11 a.m. on Tuesday after the students rejected the university authorities’ directive to vacate their dormitories.

The students are demanding the introduction of a unified degree by merging the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry. On Sunday, the protest escalated when students detained 251 teachers and officials throughout the day. Several students were injured during attacks by outsiders amid the unrest.

In response to the situation, the university administration announced an indefinite closure of the campus late Sunday night and ordered students to leave the dormitories by 9 a.m. Monday. However, the students refused to comply and continued their agitation.

The protesters insist they will continue their movement until their demands are met, and have called for justice against the attacks on students and assurances for their safety.

Md. Akhtar Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Mymensingh Railway Police Station, confirmed that the Mahua commuter train remains stuck at Fatemanagar station due to the blockade which started at 11:55 a.m. Several other trains scheduled after 1:30 p.m. have also been affected.