Save railway from plunderers: CPD, SPB

Leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Socialist Party of Bangladesh on Thursday called on the people to get united to save Bangladesh Railway from the ‘plunderers.’
The CPB and SPB leaders also protested against the newly declared train fare hikes at a rally in front of the National Press Club.
After the rally the leaders and activists of both the parties started marching toward the railway ministry (Rail Bhaban) while police intercepted them near Shikkha Bhaban.
The government on February 7 issued an order to increase train fares – of both passenger and container trains – by 7.23 per cent on an average which will come into effect from Saturday.
After 20 years, on October 1, 2012, the BR had increased passenger and freight fares by 50 and 115 per cent respectively.
At the rally CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim said the ruling Awami League-led government is taking steps to destroy the mass transportation system, railway, by raising train fares.
The government is downsizing the railway as prescribed by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, he alleged.
He urged the government not to increase train fares and instead, curb corruptions in the railway sub-sector.
Khalequzzaman, the SPB general secretary, said the enhancement in train fares will multiply sufferings of the common people.
Chaired by the CPB presidium member Shah Alam, its presidium member Ahsan Habib Lablu, SPB central leaders Bazlur Rashid Firoz and Razequzzaman Ratan, among others, addressed the rally.
After police intervention, the activists held a protest procession that paraded different city streets.
Meanwhile, Jatri Odhikar Sangrakkhan Forum leaders on Thursday alleged that ticket price for a journey to Narayanganj from Dhaka has been increased by nearly 50 per cent to Tk 15 from Tk 10.80.
A press statement signed by forum convener Rafiur Rabbi, claimed that the BR increased train fares by 7.8 per cent to 15 per cent.
The Jatri Odhikar Forum urged the railway ministry not to increase fares on Dhaka-Narayanganj route.

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