BGB, police stand guard to ensure discipline at Shimulia ferry terminal

After five people died due to heat on an overcrowded ferry at Banglabazar, Border Guard Bangladesh and police have taken a strict stance to maintain discipline at Munshiganj's Shimulia ferry terminal.

They were also seen using loudspeakers, asking home-goers to board the ferries in an orderly manner.

Over 100 police and BGB members have been assisting the commuters in boarding the ferries. But still, many were seen rushing -- risking their lives.

While visiting the ferry ghat around 8:00am, our Munshiganj correspondent saw law enforcers keeping the crowds away from the ferries until incoming commuters got off the vessels.

Vehicles are being stopped one kilometre off the terminal and passengers are walking to the ferries.

Sixteen ferries are operating between Shimulia and Madaripur's Banglabazar since this morning, maintaining schedule, said Foysal Ahmed, manager (commerce) of BIWTC Shimulia ghat.

Hilal Uddin, inspector of Mawa traffic police, said over 200 private cars and 150 trucks were waiting at the terminal to cross the river in the morning.

Ambulances and vehicles carrying patients and dead bodies are being given priority at the ghat.

Md Sirajul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Mawa Naval Police, said they are patrolling the river so that no trawler can carry passengers.