Fearing more surprise attacks and arsons by ‘Jamaat-Shibir men’, Bangladesh Railway (BR) has asked its officials and employees at all stations across the country to remain on high alert.
Talking to UNB, , Railways Minister Mujibul Hoque on Saturday said the BR has so far suffered a loss of about Tk 10 crore as Jamaat-Shibir activists vandalised, set fire to bogies and removed tracks and fishplates in many areas of the country in recent weeks.
The minister said the railway officials have been asked to remain on high alert to make sure that no such incident can take place and cause any damage to the BR.
The government railway police (GRP) and members of Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) will be on the round-the-clock duty at important stations and spots across the rail lines, he added.
The Railways Ministry has also sought necessary steps from the Home Ministry and the IGP (Inspector General of Police) for the deployment of police, RAB and BGB troops to safeguard the railway property, he said, adding that some troops have already been deployed at important locations.
Rail tracks were removed at different places of the country, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Brahmanbaria during the recent violence that broke out the following a number of verdicts by International War Crimes Tribunals against war criminals.
Mojibul also said that the BR has already taken initiatives for the repair of the stations and rail lines affected by the arson attacks and vandalism. “Besides, some coaches will be procured,” he added.
The Railways Minister said the BR has been working on 38 projects for the development of the railways. “The Railway will undergo a marked change in the next six months,” he said.
Recently, the BR has procured two new commuter trains from China, and the Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate the Dhaka-Narayanganj route on April 17, he added.
Source: UNBConnect