Rangpur Railway officials and staff yesterday halted rail communications for six and a half hours from 1:00pm demanding punishment for 12 Awami League activists who allegedly assaulted four of their fellows during a meeting.

According to Rangpur Railway officials, Chief Commercial Manager of Western Railway Zone Mihir Kumar Guha was holding a meeting with his staff at Rangpur Railway Station where General Secretary of Rangpur Mohanagar AL Tushar Kanti Mondal accompanied by 11 activists suddenly turned up with their demands for a new intercity train between Rangpur and Dhaka, and all new and extra coaches for incumbent Rangpur Express.

Tushar demanded railways minister's phone number as the officials informed him that only high-ups can meet the demands and the two parties were locked into an altercation as the railway staff failed to provide the number, they added.

At one point, the AL activists and leader physically assaulted four of their senior officials, Abdul Jabbar, station super of Rangpur Railway Station.

When contacted, Tushar denied the assault allegation and said he went to the meeting as representatives of common people and mentioned about an argument that ensued "because Mihir misbehaved with him" when he placed the demands.

Six trains which were stuck at different stations and two others which were delayed started movement at 7:00pm after high-ups assured the staff of looking into the matter, said Jabbar.

Lutfar Rahman, subinspector of Rangpur Railway Police Outpost, said he heard of a scuffle between the two parties.