How many must die before we get justice?

"Nayeem wanted to ensure justice for all by becoming a judge," said a weeping Shah Alam, father of the Notre Dame College student who died under a DSCC compactor vehicle on Wednesday.

"But how unjust is it that all his dreams were shattered by one wrong person behind the steering wheel?" he told The Daily Star over phone yesterday.

He said Nayeem had received a talent pool scholarship after his Primary Completion Exam, and had great results in Junior School Certificate and Secondary School Certificate exams as well.

"My son wanted to be a judge. He wanted to get into Dhaka University's law department. His dream was to ensure fair judgement, that no one would get back from his court without justice," said a grief-stricken Alam.

"After watching him do great in all of his exams, we were onboard too. We were waiting to see him go out there and reach for the stars," he said.

But the sky is now one light dimmer. "The pursuit of his dreams has become a nightmare for us," Alam continued.

The garbage truck hit 18-year-old Nayeem, who was crossing the road in front of Gulistan Hall Market, close to his home at Kamrangirchar.

Critically injured, he was rescued and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by locals. A few moments later, on-duty doctors pronounced him dead. He was the youngest among two siblings.

After autopsy, his body was taken to his native home in Laxmipur, where he was laid to rest at the family graveyard around 10:30am yesterday.

Talking to this correspondent, his father demanded exemplary punishment of DSCC cleaner Russel Khan, who was driving the truck.

Though a cleaner, Russel had taken the keys from driver Md Harun to bring out the truck from Sayedabad, said police.

Alam also demanded punishment of those who allowed a cleaner to get access to the keys.

"My son is not the only victim of road accidents. It's become an epidemic, especially for students," he said. "No parent should have to go through the pain of losing their children. People should have the right to move safely on the streets."

"Why should we have to be worried every time our children step out?" he asked, not complaining, but almost begging for answers.