Titumir Students Block Rail Tracks

As part of their "Barasat Barricade to North City" campaign demanding an independent university, students from the Government Titumir College have blocked railway tracks in addition to roads. The protestors blocked the rail crossing at Mohakhali in Dhaka at 3:40 PM on Monday. Earlier, at around 2:45 PM, the students marched from in front of the college towards Mohakhali. The blockade caused severe disruption to commuters, affecting both men and women working in various professions.

Earlier in the day, at 12:30 PM, the protestors had blocked the road in front of Titumir College by placing bamboo sticks, preventing any vehicles from passing.

According to Jayanal Abedin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Dhaka Railway Police, the students had blocked the railway tracks in the Mohakhali area. "We are on the scene. Due to the blockade, train services between Dhaka and other destinations have been halted," he said in a statement to Jugantor at 5:30 PM.

Russell Sarwar, the OC of Banani Police Station, also commented on the situation. "Train and vehicle movement has been blocked due to the students' protest. However, vehicles heading towards Jahangir Gate and coming from Jahangir Gate towards Banani are using the flyover. The road from Jahangir Gate to Mohakhali has been closed, causing severe traffic congestion in surrounding areas."

Sources reported a heavy presence of police, Armed Police Battalion, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the eastern part of the Mohakhali rail crossing. Around 20-30 students were seen sitting on the railway tracks, with over 100 students standing nearby, shouting slogans in support of their cause.

BGB headquarters confirmed the deployment of four platoons to assist law enforcement and maintain order amid the blockade.

Nur Mohammad, a student involved in the protest, said, "As part of our earlier announced program, we have blocked both the railway and the roads. We are protesting for a just cause."

Nazarul Islam, a final-year honors student, added, "We have approached many people, but the education adviser has rejected our demands. We will no longer appeal to anyone. The state must come to us. We will continue our protest until our demands are met."

Alvi, another student, mentioned that the blockade in front of the college was still ongoing. Meanwhile, due to the blockade, a train from Kamalapur Railway Station heading towards Noakhali was forced to return to Kamalapur.

Earlier in the day, around 12:45 PM, bamboo sticks were placed to block the road in front of Titumir College, halting all traffic on the Mohakhali-Gulshan Link Road. This caused severe congestion in nearby streets and alleyways, with commuters facing immense hardship, especially sick individuals. Many passengers, unable to proceed, were seen walking to their destinations.

Azim Uddin, a passerby, commented, "Blocking the road is causing a lot of suffering for people. This protest happens every day. The government needs to find a solution. What is the benefit of causing hardship to the public? These issues need to be resolved quickly."