Bangladeshi org stalled Moitree Express in Nadia

The failure of intelligence played enough to make the Indian government embarrassed as an organization of the Bangladeshi refugees stalled the inaugural run of the Moitree Express on Monday on its way as threatened.

After playing a prolonged 'mouse and rat' game, around two hundred members of Nikhil Banga Nagarik Samity (NBNS), blocked the train at Ghosal para village between Aranghata and Bahirgachi station at 9.05 am in Nadia district. The blockade continued for more than ten minutes. Men and women were lied down on the track demanding suspension of the service as they alleged atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Finding no way on the board security personnel had to intervene to clear the blockade.

Interestingly, there was no police in the area initially but when the security personnel almost convinced the protesters to remove the blockade following repeated persuasion, local police arrived at the spot and started lathi charge to disperse them. SDPO Ranaghat led the attack and arrested 50 protesters including three women and Secretary of NBNS Subhash Chakraborty.

Earlier 37 more protesters were arrested as preventive measure from Badkul and Bahirgachi, nevertheless, the police remain clueless about the exact position of their agitation. SP of Nadia district H Kusumakar said: “We will be checking their identities as we suspect there may be a number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.” It may be noted that the organization earlier in a letter to Prime minister appealed to keep the service in abeyance till situation in Bangladesh become conducive.

The train ultimately left for Gede and arrived there at 9.28 am. After customs and immigration checking it finally left for Dhaka cantonment at 11.47 am. The inaugural train had only 65 passengers while the Kolkata bound train, which also made the inaugural run from Dhaka cantonment on Monday morning came with 350 passengers and arrived at Gede in the afternoon unhindered. The train is expected to reach Kolkata terminal at about 9 pm.

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