Stone Throwing at Cox’s Bazar Express Injures Passengers

Incidents of stone-throwing at intercity trains on the Cox’s Bazar route continue to pose a significant safety risk. On Monday afternoon, two passengers sustained injuries when stones were hurled at the Dhaka-bound Cox’s Bazar Express. Among the victims, 25-year-old Mohammad Himel Ahmed suffered the loss of four teeth, while Mohammad Abu Sayeed, aged 40, sustained injuries to his neck.

Incident Overview and Casualties

According to railway authorities and witnesses, the train departed from Cox’s Bazar station at approximately 12:30 pm. The two injured passengers were seated in seats 35 and 36 of the non-AC coach (Coach ‘Dha’). As the train was traversing the Chakaria region, a stone was thrown from outside, striking the passengers.

The victims were part of a group of 18 to 20 tourists from Birampur, Dinajpur, who were returning home after visiting Cox’s Bazar. Following the attack, the injured were provided with medical treatment upon arrival at Chittagong Railway Station. After receiving care, the train resumed its journey toward Dhaka at approximately 4:15 pm.

One witness, Saidul Islam, reported that the impact caused Himel’s lower lip to rupture internally, necessitating several stitches. The other victim, Abu Sayeed, suffered a severe blow to the neck and shoulder area.

Operational Negligence and Statistics

Passengers have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the response of the train staff. It was alleged that the coach attendant was not at his post during the incident, and both the guard and attendant were delayed in arriving at the scene. While a member of the Railway Police provided assistance, passengers noted a general lack of support from other staff. Furthermore, when the matter was reported to the local police station, officials reportedly questioned the passengers for keeping the windows open, causing further public resentment.

Stone-throwing remains a persistent issue for the Bangladesh Railway Eastern Zone. The Cox’s Bazar route has emerged as the most vulnerable sector for such attacks.

Railway Eastern Zone Incident Statistics (Past Year)

Infrastructure and Security Measures

Currently, four pairs of intercity trains operate on the Cox’s Bazar route—two connecting Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar and two connecting Chittagong to Cox’s Bazar. Due to high demand, special trains are frequently added to the schedule.

Anisur Rahman, the Divisional Transport Officer (Chittagong) of Bangladesh Railway, stated that various measures are being implemented to curb these attacks. The Railway Police have been instructed to increase surveillance in the Chakaria-Harbang area, which has been identified as a high-risk zone. The authorities are reportedly coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of passengers on this popular tourist route.