Two severely injured as groomsmen 'attacked by students' on train in Rajshahi

At least two men were severely injured after a groom's party was reportedly attacked by students on a train in Rajshahi today (20 September).

The injured have been identified as Arifur Islam, 28, and Ditol Sarkar.

The incident took place around 8:15am when the groom's party boarded the train at Arani station, on their way to Kakon Haat in Godagari Upazila, reports Prothom Alo.

One of the attackers has been detained. However, his identity could not be known immediately.

"After the train reached Rajshahi Railway Station, Ansar members apprehended one of the attackers, a 17-year-old student, who was later handed over to the railway police," Abdul Malek, the station master, told PA.

Arifur, one of the injured, said he jumped off the train at Rajshahi station to escape the assault.

"I was beaten with a GI pipe and a cricket stump, which broke my right hand and left me with multiple injuries on my back. Another guest, Ditol Sarkar, was severely injured but continued his journey to Kakon Haat."

He continued, "We were a group of 30 wedding guests who boarded the train at Arani station. We encountered the students, who were already causing trouble on the train. The situation escalated when I was hit on the head, and my companions pushed me aside to protect me."

"The students became violent, beating both Ditol and me, and robbing Ditol of Tk8,000 and his mobile phone," he claimed.

"I, along with two others, managed to escape at Sardah station and continued our journey by road," he added.

Kajal, a newspaper hawker who witnessed the incident, said, "They [attackers] were shouting, 'Call the Boro Bhai,' while beating the wedding guests."

Meanwhile, the detained student, who resides in the Assam Colony Bou Bazar of Rajshahi confessed that their leaders, Monir, 24, and Mainul, 26, and several other teenage students were involved in the attack, according to the PA report.

Except for Monir and Mainul, all others were students of various institutions, the report also states.

The detainee also admitted to using a stump to beat the groom's party.

When asked about their presence at Arani station, he explained to Prothom Alo that a group of 10-12 students had travelled to Abdulpur station to eat luchi and were returning on the commuter train when they got into an altercation with one of the groomsmen, which led to the attack.

As of noon, the Railway Police had not yet filed a case regarding the incident.

"Two army personnel were present at the scene. They are discussing the matter and will inform you about the decision to file a case later," Gopal Karmakar, officer-in-charge (OC) of the GRP Police Station said.