Here is the corrected and refined version of the story. I have reformatted the table for better scannability and polished the language to maintain a professional, British English tone.
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‘We Liberated the Country’: TTE Beaten by Students in Bhairab
Bhairab Railway Station was the scene of a disturbing outbreak of lawlessness on Monday afternoon, 5 January, when a Senior Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) was brutally assaulted for performing his duties. The attackers, a group of approximately ten young men identifying as “students,” reportedly justified their refusal to pay for tickets by claiming their role in the nation’s political liberation entitled them to free travel.
A video of the ambush, which took place around 4:30 pm, has since gone viral on social media, triggering a national debate regarding the rule of law and the growing trend of individuals using “student” status to bypass civic responsibilities.
The Fare Dispute Aboard the Chattala Express
The confrontation began on the Chattogram-bound Chattala Express. Senior TTE Tanzim Faraji commenced routine inspections after the train departed Dhaka. Between the Tongi and Bhairab stretches, he encountered the group of youths travelling without valid tickets. When asked to pay the fare, the group became aggressive, reportedly shouting, “We liberated this country; why should we buy tickets?”
The situation reached a breaking point when Mr Faraji successfully collected a BDT 220 fare from a middle-aged passenger travelling with the group to Brahmanbaria. The youths viewed this enforcement of the law as a personal affront and threatened the official throughout the remainder of the journey.
The Ambush at Bhairab Station
The harassment escalated into physical violence once the train reached the station. After completing his shift, Mr Faraji disembarked and headed toward the station mosque for his afternoon prayers. The group intercepted him, attempted to force him back onto the train toward Brahmanbaria, and—when he resisted—launched a coordinated physical attack, striking him repeatedly in full public view.
Chronology of the Assault
| Time | Location | Event Description |
| 3:00 PM | Dhaka Station | Chattala Express departs; TTE begins ticket inspections. |
| 3:45 PM | Near Tongi | Verbal altercation begins over ticketless travel. |
| 4:15 PM | Bhairab Station | Train arrives; TTE concludes his official shift. |
| 4:30 PM | Station Mosque | Group ambushes TTE; local residents intervene to rescue him. |
Public Outcry and Official Response
The assault was only halted when local residents and commuters intervened, pulling the official away from the mob. “The attackers were not from Bhairab; they were outsiders tarnishing our town’s reputation,” remarked one eyewitness.
The victim, Tanzim Faraji, has stated his intention to file a formal criminal case following consultations with his department. Sayed Ahmed, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhairab Railway Police, confirmed that investigators are currently reviewing the viral footage to identify the culprits. Station Officer Md. Yusuf added that while the suspects have not yet been detained, they are believed to be residents of Brahmanbaria.
Authorities are now under significant pressure to ensure that the “student” label is not used as a shield for criminal battery and revenue evasion.