PROTECTORS OR PREDATORS?
A week ago, I was stopped at a traffic signal in Mogbazaar, because the PM was passing by. The rickshaw next to mine couldn’t quite stop in time when the traffic police hailed us to, and went a little ahead in line. The place was surrounded by the police as can be expected, but what happened next shocked me to the core. One of the inspectors grabbed a hold of the “offending” rickshaw puller and started beating him mercilessly with a helmet. When his passenger, a young man with a Press ID around his neck, objected, the inspector drew his pistol and pointed it at his head! He then proceeded to swear at and threaten to kill him in the worst language possible while the rest of us watched in fear and shock. The traffic police eventually came to their senses and drew the inspector away, but the incident remained embedded in my mind and made me wonder who is left for us to trust in these uncertain times.
Aisha Islam
Eskaton, Dhaka
SHADY DEALINGS
The other day, I was passing by Rapa Plaza in Dhanmondi and I stopped to buy some cigarettes. When I approached the vendor sitting on the corner of the street, he handed me a piece of paper which had something lumpy inside. Confused, I opened it to discover it was marijuana. I started at him in surprise and asked what this was about just as he too realised he had mistaken me for someone else. The situation would have been quite comical if not for the sad fact that drugs are literally now available at every street corner and our law enforcers are doing little to nothing to put a stop to this damaging trade.
Ayeman Yasser
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Unexpected Kindness
On Valentine’s Day this year, I was quite broke. Being a student, I have a part time job that doesn’t really get me through the month. I was moping around the flower market in Shahbagh, dwelling on what I would tell my girlfriend when I showed up at her college empty handed, when a flower vendor asked me what was wrong. I was surprised at this, but he said he had been observing me for some time and asked me to have a cup of tea with him. He paid for the tea, to my further astonishment, and led me to his store as I told him my troubles. He listened sympathetically and at the end of my whining, gave me a beautiful red rose to give it to my girl. He asked me to give her his Salaam. In a city where no-one has time for anyone else, this kindness was unexpected and touching. I plan to return the favour as soon as I can.
Shahed Hossain
Dhaka
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