Train service halted for 1-hr over beating of loco master

Rail services in all routes from the northern district of Joypurhat were suspended for more than one hour in protest against alleged assault of a loco master of a train by some local ‘hoodlums’ on Wednesday. Bangladesh Railway sources said a gang of hoodlums, reportedly dealing in illegal drugs in the area, swooped on Mojammel Hossain, loko master (driver) of Khulna-bound “Uttara Express” passenger train from Parbatipur of Dinajpur district as the train was passing the Hily Station at around 9:30am. Injured by the ‘miscreants’, Mojammel was admitted to Jaypurhat District Modern Hospital. Following the incident, the drivers of the trains in all route from Joypurhat stopped operation of rails. The train service however became normal after the authorities assured of punishment for the perpetrators, according to a news agency.