Schoolmates demand justice

Demanding justice for Tanvir Ahmed Zion, a student of Collectorate School and College in Rangpur, his schoolmates formed a human chain in front of the institution yesterday morning.

Carrying banners and placards, students also demonstrated on the campus, demanding safe roads.

Large numbers of police were deployed outside the school to avoid any chaos.

Zion, 15, was run over and killed by a speeding bus in Ghagatpara area of Rangpur on Sunday. The tenth grader was going to school riding his bicycle around 11:00am when the bus hit him from behind, killing him at the scene.

After the accident, students and locals blocked Rangpur-Kurigram road for nearly four hours. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets and baton-charged demonstrators to clear the road. At least 10 locals and police were injured in the ensuing chase and counter chase.

CASE FILED

A case was filed with Rangpur Sadar Police Station accusing the driver, helper and owner of the passenger bus of “Bhai-Bon Paribahan” on Sunday night.

Sakidul Islam, sub-inspector of the police station, filed the case. The accused are bus driver Insan Ali Sanu, 38; Badsha Mia, 35, his helper; and owner Sharifa Begum, 43.

Sanu and Badsha were arrested in Rangpur city's Dhap area on Sunday evening, said Inspector Moktarul Islam, acting officer-in-charge of the police station. The driver did not have the license to drive heavy vehicles, he said.

Police are trying to arrest the other accused, said Mamunur Rashid, the case's investigation officer.

DRIVER, HELPER REMANDED

A Rangpur court yesterday placed Sanu and Badsha on an eight-day remand.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Arifa Yasmin passed the order after the IO produced them before the court with a 10-day remand prayer.