Train operations to continue defying sabotage: Sujan

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan today said that the operations of trains will not stop in view of the sabotage activities.

“The country’ safe railway journey is being destabilized through sabotage and terrorist activities. Violence on railways is increasing amid political programmes of BNP and its like-minded political parties after October 28,” he told a press conference at Rail Bhaban in the city.

Political programmes may continue, but the train operation will not stop because of violent activities, the minister said and urged all to remain aware about such activities and cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to prevent sabotage.

Political terrorism and sabotage has posed a threat to safe rail operations, Sujan said, adding that in the name of political programmes, the communication system got disrupted except the railway.

“Now terrorist activities are being carried out in railway communication system in a planned way,” he said, adding, after boarding the train as passengers, the miscreants are carrying out sabotages.

They now have taken trains as their prime target instead of buses to carry out sabotages, the minister said, adding that fishplates are being removed to cause planned accidents.
Speaking about today’s arson attack on train, he said the miscreants set the Mohanganj Express on fire when the train reached Tejgaon station leaving Airport station.

Three coaches of the train were burnt and four people died in the incident, Sujan added.

He said he talked to the railway security forces, police and the home minister so that the terrorists could not disrupt the train operation by carrying out such activities.

About sabotages on railways, he said the rail communication came under the direct attack on November 16 for the first time.

On that day, two coaches of a commuter train were damaged severely, Sujan said, adding, Jamuna Express came under sabotage in a planned way at Sharishbari in Jamalpur on November 19.

The train Upaban Express came under arson attack in Sylhet on November 22 while on December 13, one person was killed and several people were injured after a 20-foot stretch of rail track was deliberately removed by unidentified miscreants, leading to the derailment of the Mohanganj Express in Gazipur, he added. (BSS)