KARACHI, Feb 15: Several trains departed after a delay of one to two hours as railway workers observed a strike and refused to operate trains on Wednesday in protest against the arrest of two of their fellow workers.

The driver, Rafiq Ahmed, and Fireman Mohammad Shafiq were picked up under the terrorism act. They were the driver and fireman of one of the two freight trains that collided near Bholari some 27 kilometres from Hyderabad recently. The railway termed the accident as an act of terrorism.

Officials said Rafiq was picked up from his Malir residence while Shafiq was nabbed from his Mirpurkhas residence. Soon after the two workers were picked up, a wave of resentment spread among railway workers. They decided to observe a strike immediately at around 2pm.

Railway officials met worker leaders of those of the Railway Workers Federation for negotiations.

The federation’s president demanded an immediate release of both workers.

He, on behalf of workers, also demanded that all trains should be issued clearance for their fitness before they started any journey, cases be registered after a due course of department inquiry as per railway rules, and eight-hour duty timings for be observed running staff.

The railway officials approved all their demands besides immediately releasing both the workers.

Following the approval of all demands, the strike was called off and the first train – Karakoram Express – departed at 5:30pm after a delay of one-and-a-half hour. Besides, the Mehran Express, Millat Express, Karachi Express and Tezgam also left the city for their respective destinations after a delay of one to two hours.