Eid returnees suffer

Thousands of people returning to their workplaces after spending Eid holidays in their villages are suffering in Lalmonirhat railway station due to insufficient number of trains and black-marketing of tickets.

Mobarak Hossain, 45, of Saptana Road in Lalmonirhat town, said he purchased four tickets paying higher price from a man near the counter as he didn't get any ticket at the counter.

Sahidar Rahman, 50, of Thanapara in the town, said, "I went to the counter in the morning yesterday, but the ticket seller told me all the tickets were sold. I purchased three tickets for Dhaka from a broker, paying double fare."

Taherul Islam, 38, of College Road in the town, alleged that unscrupulous railway officials are selling tickets at double rate in the black market in collusion with the brokers.

"I couldn't get tickets but I have to reach Dhaka. So I along with my family will go by train without ticket," said Mantez Mia, 48.

Shah Alam, counter manager of Lalmonirhat station, rejected the allegation that tickets are being sold in the black market.

Mashiur Rahman, havilder of the Railway Nirapatta Bahini, said if anybody tries to sell tickets in the black market, he or they will be caught and dealt with under the law.

Dewan Nizam Uddin, station master of Lalmonirhat station, said all tickets till July 14 have been sold, and passengers are buying tickets on condition of going standing. Only 140 tickets for the Lalmoni Express are allocated for Lalmonirhat station, but many passengers can't purchase tickets due to the demand, he added.