South Keraniganj still in shock
South Keraniganj in Dhaka was still in shock yesterday from the deaths of two siblings killed in Monday's tragic accident on Dhaka-Mawa road.
As thousands of people attended a memorial and prayers for the two children at Cosmopolitan Laboratory School and College – the school both went to, at home their inconsolable mother Putul Begum repeatedly kissed her children's photos and silently stared at the table in their room.
The injured father, Kalim Hossain, who was supposed to be at the hospital now, was in bed – bandages covering his hands and a leg.
On Monday, the siblings -- Fatima Afrin, 12, and Afsar Hossain, 10 – were returning home on their father's motorbike after annual sports day at school. A rowdy truck on Dhaka-Mawa road hit them from behind, dragged them for a few metres, and fled the scene. The children died on the spot.
Wearing black badges, thousands of local mourners joined a memorial rally for the children at Cosmopolitan Laboratory School and College.
“We're shocked! Just yesterday [Monday] morning the children took part in the school's Sports Day and today [yesterday] they're no more!” Rahmatullah, guardian of a student of the school, said, adding that people are now feeling insecure on the road.
Officer-in-Charge of South Keraniganj Police Station, Shah Zaman, said, he also fears for the safety of his two school-going children.
He requested Bangladesh Road Transport Authority to be more vigilant in issuing driving licenses.
The OC said the family still has not filed any case, but they were trying to arrest the truck's driver and his helper.
One of the students of the school, Shanta Yasmin, said, “Every day 10 to 12 people are dying on the road. We protested but to no avail. We want safe roads.”
The students announced that they will hold a human chain tomorrow demanding justice.
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