Rajshahi, Apr 16 (V7N)– For the second consecutive day, students of the Polytechnic Institute in Rajshahi are staging protests, today focusing their blockade on railway tracks in the Bhadra area of the city. The ongoing demonstration, which began at noon local time on Wednesday, April 16th, is in pursuit of their six-point charter of demands and has led to the suspension of train services in and out of Rajshahi.

"On the second day of the movement, students of the Polytechnic Institute are protesting by blocking the railway tracks in Rajshahi for their 6-point demands. They have been blocking the railway tracks in Bhadra area of ​​Rajshahi city since 12 noon on Wednesday, April 16. As a result, three trains are stuck. The trains are not able to enter Rajshahi. As a result of the blockade, train traffic from Rajshahi to the rest of the country has practically stopped," reported a Rajshahi Correspondent.

Earlier this afternoon, students from the Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute, under the banner of Karigari Chhatra Andolan, Bangladesh (Technical Students' Movement, Bangladesh), held a protest march towards the Bhadra intersection. Following the march, a segment of the students blocked a portion of the road, while another group set fire to materials on the railway line, effectively halting train movement. The railway blockade continued until at least 2:30 PM local time.

"This afternoon, students of Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute, under the banner of Karigari Chhatra Andolan, Bangladesh, took out a protest march to Bhadra intersection. After that, a section of the students blocked a section of the road and sat down. Another section set fire to the railway line and blocked the railway. The students blocked the railway line until 2:30 pm," the report detailed.

The protesting students are vocalizing their six demands through various slogans. These demands include the annulment of the verdict concerning the alleged illegal promotion of craft instructors to junior instructor positions, the permanent dismissal of individuals involved in the case by changing the designation of 'craft instructor,' the cancellation of the open-age admission policy for the Diploma in Engineering courses, and the exclusive appointment of graduates with a Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology (Surveying) to Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent (10th grade) positions.

"The protesting students are raising various slogans to achieve their six-point demands. Their demands include cancelling the verdict on the illegal promotion of craft instructors to the post of junior instructor; permanently dismissing the people involved in the case by changing the title of 'craft instructor'; canceling the opportunity to enroll in the Diploma in Engineering course at any age; and appointing only students who have passed Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology (Surveying) to the posts of Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent (10th grade)," the correspondent elaborated.

The students argue that long-standing irregularities, discrimination, and short-sighted policies are depriving talented individuals in the technical education sector and hindering the development of the skilled workforce needed for the country's progress. They assert that their demands are reasonable and must be met to rectify these issues.

"The protesting students say that due to various irregularities, discrimination and short-sighted policies for a long time, talented students in this sector are being deprived and obstacles are being created in creating the skilled manpower needed for the country. Therefore, their reasonable demands must be accepted," the report stated.

Hasanul Haque Himel, the Station Master of Rajshahi Railway Station, confirmed the disruption to train services. He stated that no trains are currently departing from Rajshahi. Furthermore, the Dhumketu Express from Dhaka, the Kapotaksha Express from Khulna, and the Tungipara Express from Gopalganj, all scheduled to arrive in Rajshahi, are currently unable to enter the city due to the railway track blockade. The Station Master also indicated that these three incoming trains are being held at various preceding stations.

"Rajshahi Railway Station Station Master Hasanul Haque Himel said that there is no train to leave Rajshahi. However, the Dhumketu Express from Dhaka, the Kapotaksha Express from Khulna and the Tungipara Express from Gopalganj were scheduled to enter Rajshahi. The trains are not able to enter Rajshahi due to the blockade of the railway track. The station official also said that the three trains are stopping at some previous stations," Station Master Himel confirmed.

The continuation of the students' protests for a second day, now directly impacting railway services, signals a potential escalation of the situation. Commuters are facing significant disruptions, and authorities are likely under pressure to find a resolution to the students' demands and restore normalcy to transportation in the region.

END/RAR/RH/