DHAKA, 15 November 2004 — The sense of responsibility of common people and timely action from the railway authorities and police averted on Saturday night a disastrous train disaster in southeastern Chittagong that could have killed hundreds.
A criminal act of sabotage on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr could have occurred following a nearly successful attempt to cut off the track on the Dhaka-Chittagong rail line by miscreants.Local paddy farmers and public representatives informed police about the axing of a portion of railway track at a place near Chinki Astana station under Mirersharai subdistrict in Chittagong district, according to local, police and Bangladesh Railway (BR) sources.
Train movement to and from the port city including between Chittagong and Dhaka was suspended for more than two hours from 7 p.m. on Saturday and some trains bound for the port city and other destinations were halted halfway for hours following the incident.
Thousands of people now crowd the trains for going to their village homes for celebrating Eid with their near and dear ones.
Meanwhile, BR Eastern Zone officials said the rail movement resumed on a limited scale from 9 p.m. through an alternative line. The movement started in a full swing after repairing partially axed railway track at about 10.20 p.m. Saturday night.
Chief Traffic Manager of the BR Eastern Zone Aftabuddin Ahmed told newsmen that it was a clear attempt of sabotage. The miscreants might have two motives — looting of valuables from huge home-bound passengers and creating an awkward situation for the government.
