Trains roll back to service after running staff call off strike

A train of Bangladesh Railway. (File photo)

Dhaka, Jan 29 -Train communications on Wednesday resumed in parts of the country after Bangladesh Railways’ running staff called off their strike.

The decision to withdraw the strike that halted trains for 26 hours came from a meeting held between Railways Adviser Fouzul Kabir, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and the leaders of running staff late Tuesday.

The decision was announced at 2:45 am Wednesday.

Md Mojibur Rahman, general secretary to Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers' Union, said, "The adviser has promised to resolve our issue quickly through the finance ministry by tomorrow (Wednesday). We don't want public suffering. I'm sorry. I have now withdrawn the work stoppage. I will tell the running staff brothers to go back to work.”

Following the announcement, two trains left Rajshahi rail station in the early morning.

Of them, the Khulna and Dhaka-bound Sagardari and Madhumati trains left the station at 6:05am and 6:50am respectively.

Moreover, the Banalata Express train left Chapainawabganj rail station for Rajshahi in the morning, reports our district correspondent.

Passengers travelling by the trains said most seats remained vacant due to the late night announcement of the withdrawal.

The running staff started an indefinite work abstention from Monday midnight across the country to demand special post-retirement allowances and other benefits. - UNB