Swapan Kumar Singh :

Discontent over BNP’s nomination in the Mymensingh-10 (Gaffargaon) constituency triggered protests on Saturday, leading to arson on railway tracks and a prolonged suspension of train services between Dhaka and northern districts.

Supporters of a nomination-deprived aspirant set fire to the railway line around 4:30pm at the Shibganj Road rail crossing in Gaffargaon upazila. As a result, train operations on the Dhaka–Mymensingh route came to a complete halt.

Mymensingh Railway Superintendent Abdullah Al Harun said rail communication had not resumed until 10:30pm. Efforts were underway to clear the tracks and ensure safety before restoring services, he added.

Speaking to the media, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Abdullah Al Mamun said the protesters blocked the railway line demanding the cancellation of BNP-nominated candidate Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman’s nomination.

To maintain law and order, district police and railway police were deployed at the scene, while intelligence surveillance was intensified.

Officer-in-Charge of Mymensingh Railway Police Station Md Aktar Hossain said authorities were working to resume train services on the Dhaka–Mymensingh route as soon as possible.

Tension prevailed in the area following the incident, though no casualties were reported as of filing this report.