Ehsanul Haque Jasim :
There has been an alarming rise in road accidents in the country, particularly in Dhaka city where reckless driving inspired by poor traffic rules, irregularities and mild penalty made city streets risky for both the pedestrians and the passengers. Country’s senior journalist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury is one of victims of the traffic collapse, said experts and observers.
People of all quarters are stunned over the tragic death of the noted journalist, who died on Saturday night after falling from a moving bus at Karwan Bazar in the city. They said that such death of a noted citizen of the country can’t be accepted. They urged the authorities concerned to find out and ensure exemplary punishment to those responsible for his death.
Associate Professor of Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET Dr Mohammad Mahbub Alam Talukder and chief of ‘Nirapad Sarak Chai Andolan’ Elias Kanchan on Sunday told The New Nation that Dhaka is the most vulnerable city where the road accident is increasing day by day alarmingly. This is only for irregularities and mismanagement, they said, adding that proper enforcement of traffic laws could reduce road accidents. Elias Kanchan said, “City’s traffic management has totally collapsed.”
According to a study conducted by ARI, Bangladesh is the top road accident-prone country in the world. Surprisingly, pedestrians are the most victims than the passengers, says the ARI study.
About 50 people are killed every day in the road accident. According to the ARI, over 12000 people are killed in a year, while the World Health Organisation says that the number is about 20000. According to the World Bank statistics, annual fatality rate from road accidents is found to be 85.6 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles. Meanwhile, a five-member probe body was formed on Sunday to investigate the bus crash which killed Zaglul Chowdhury. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader disclosed it to the journalists after inaugurating the traffic awareness campaign on the Manik Mia Avenue in the city. The probe committee was asked to submit its report within three consecutive days. Mashiar Rahman, director (administration) of Bangladesh Road Transport Authorities (BRTA), will head the committee.
Obaidul Qauder said that the nation has suffered an irrevocable loss with the sad demise of Zaglul Chowdhury. The traffic awareness campaign should be continued to curb road accidents, he added.
Meanwhile, a case was filed in connection with the death of Zaglul Chowdhury. The victim’s son Navid Ahmed Chowdhury filed the case with Kalabagan Police Station, said officer-in-charge Iqbal Ahmed. He said that they are trying to trace the killer bus and driver.
Asked about efforts to seize the killer bus, he said, “We already held talks with three traffic policemen and two civilians who witnessed the tragic road accident to trace out the killer bus. But, unfortunately none of them could identify the bus as they only witnessed the journalist to get down. We will talk with other traffic policemen who were on-duty at that time at Kawranbazar.” He, however, hoped that they will soon locate the bus and its driver.
Expressing deep shock, Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) demanded finding out and ensuring exemplary punishment to those responsible for the death. In a statement, DCAB President Mainul Alam and Secretary General Angur Nahar Monty also urged the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to prevent such kind of tragic incidents in future. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message of condolence expressed her deep shock at death of Zaglul Chowdhury. She conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia also expressed profound shock at the death. In a condolence message, she said Zaglul Ahmed’s contributions to journalism and his professional career will remain an example for the next generation of journalists to follow. In another message, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also condoled at the death.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran also mourned over the untimely demise of Zaglul Chowdhury. “I convey my deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Zaglul Chowdhury. This has dealt a cruel blow to Bangladesh’s media fraternity and to one of its preeminent figures,” he said in a condolence message.
Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Deputy Speaker M Fazle Rabbi Mia, Chief Whip ASM Firoz, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique in separate condolence messages also expressed deep shock at the death of the journalist. They also recalled his outstanding contribution in journalism.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Gano Forum and other organizations condoled at the death of Zaglul Chowdhury. All the quarters are stunned over the tragic incident.
