Road accident wipes out a family

Jadabpur village in Jahurpur union, Bagharpara upazila, Jashore, fell silent on the night of July 8 last year after a devastating road accident claimed the lives of five family members, including twin brothers. The tragic event left the entire community in shock and mourning.

The cries of grief from the victims' families spread through the village and beyond, touching the hearts of people in four other nearby villages. A total of eight people lost their lives in the accident, seven of whom died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries later.

The accident happened at Tetultala Bazar on the Jashore-Magura road when a bus heading to Magura hit a speed breaker and collided with an easy bike traveling in the opposite direction. All the victims were in the easy bike—one was the driver, and the others were passengers.

Among the victims were..twin brothers Hasan and Hossain, sons of Helal Munshi from Jadabpur.

Their grandmother Mahima, wife of Babul Munshi from Jadabpur.

Mahima’s sister Rahima, wife of Saidul Islam from Sekenderpur village, and Rahima’s daughter, Zeba Tahera.

Easy bike driver Abu Musa (17) from Mathurapur village.

Two passengers: Maruf Hossain Munna from Talbaria village and Imran, son of Saidul Islam from Sultanpur village.

Hasan and Hossain’s sister, Khadija, and their mother, Sonia, were severely injured in the crash. Sonia, who was traveling to Jashore town with her children, mother, and aunt for a doctor’s visit, has undergone two surgeries. Tragically, she lost one eye and risks losing vision in the other without further surgery, which will cost 60,000 taka.

Helal Munshi, a tannery worker in Hemayetpur, lost his two sons in the accident. “The accident took all the joy out of my life,” he said. “I had to sell my land for my wife and daughter’s treatment, but I still can’t afford the surgery my wife needs this month.”

When asked about filing a case, Helal said, “I tried, but it didn’t happen because of pressure from local dignitaries and relatives.”

A settlement was eventually made with the bus owner for three lakh taka, but Helal only received one lakh. “The rest went to the wealthy,” he added.

Babul Munshi, who lost his wife Mahima and grandsons Hasan and Hossain, works in Dhaka. “I can’t stop thinking about them,” he said. “The memories haunt me every day.”

Renuka Begum, the grieving grandmother, still mourns deeply. “They were my children too. My heart is broken,” she said through tears.

The twin brothers and their grandmother were buried in the family graveyard near Jadabpur Central Jam-e-Masjid. Rahima and her daughter were buried in Sekenderpur, and Abu Musa was laid to rest in Mathurapur.

On the day of the accident, people from all around came to offer condolences, including political and social leaders. But a year later, Helal says, “No one checks on us anymore. I have no one to help with Sonia’s treatment or to support my family.”

The grief remains raw for the families, who continue to struggle with their losses and the challenges of moving forward.