Nilphamari villagers bid farewell to victims

Amid tears and grief, people of Mirganj and Shimulbari unions in Jaldhaka upazila yesterday bade farewell to 13 workers, who were killed in their sleep when a coal-laden truck flipped over on a makeshift shed at a brick kiln in Cumilla early Friday.

Of the victims, mostly in their tender ages, 10 belonging to the Hindu community were cremated at two local crematoriums while the three Muslims were buried at their village graveyard.

Earlier in the morning, a covered-van, carrying the coffins containing the dead bodies, reached Jaldhaka Upazila Parishad premises after Cumilla district administration arranged the transportation, following completion of their autopsies on Friday evening.

The bodies were later handed over to victims' family members at Karnamoyee Government Primary School premises in presence of Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Nazia Shirin and Jaldhaka Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Sujauddoula.

Later, out of the 10 Hindu victims, six were taken to Mirganj crematorium while four others, including Bikash Chandra, 28, and Kanak Chandra, 34, were cremated at Laxmimarai crematorium in Shimulbari union.

Meanwhile, the three Muslim victims--Morsalin, Masum and Selim--were buried at Pathanpara graveyard in Mirganj union.

Headmaster of Mirganj High School Mostafizur Rahman said five of the victims-- Class IX students Tarun Chandra, 16, and Biplob Chandra, 15, and Class X students Proshanto Roy Dipu , 16, Amit Chandra, 19, and Selim, 15--were regular students of his school.

Besides, two Class X students of Shimulbari SC High School Monoranjan Roy, 17, and Mrinal Chandra, 15, were killed in the tragic accident, Headmaster Jyotish Chandra Roy said.

Authorities of both the schools yesterday hoisted black flags in the school compound and suspended their classes in honour of the victims.

A pall of gloom descended on the area when tearful Janakibala, 40, mother of Shankar, 17, was trying to touch her son during his cremation.

“I did the toughest task carrying my son's body on my shoulder today,” Biplob's father Ram Proshad said.

In Cumilla, police filed a case against the truck driver and helper in connection with the death of 13 brick kiln workers due to their negligence, reports our correspondent.

Deceased Ranjit's brother Sanjit Roy filed the case with Chauddagram Police Station on Friday midnight, Inspector (Investigation) Shuvo Ranjan Chakma of the police station said.