That dawn road is normal again, but five lives will not return

The road from that tragic dawn is normal again. Vehicles are moving, people are going about their routines. A case has been filed and financial assistance will be provided to the victims’ families. Yet, in five homes of Nurpur village in Mahadebpur, Naogaon, those people will never return.

Dawn had not fully broken. The road was covered in fog. As on every other day, several working people set out for the market in two passenger vans. They never reached their destination. Five lives were cut short on the way.

The accident occurred early Saturday, January 31, in the Patkathi Shibpur area of Mahadebpur upazila in Naogaon. A sand-laden dump truck was travelling from Mahadebpur towards Patnitala. On reaching Patkathi Shibpur, the truck lost control and ran over two passenger vans in front of it. A deafening sound shook the surroundings as both vans were instantly crushed.

Of the six people travelling in the two vans, five died on the spot. One person, Samanta, was critically injured and is currently undergoing treatment at hospital.

All five of the deceased were residents of Nurpur village. They were working-class people from the indigenous community.

The deceased were identified as Sanju Orao, Ujjal Pahan, Biren Pahan, Bipul Pahan and Biplob Pahan.

Local sources said the victims were low-income earners who lived hand to mouth. The accident did not just take five lives, it pushed their families into severe financial crisis.

Officer-in-charge of Mahadebpur police station, Shahidul Islam, told Views Bangladesh that a case has been filed over the deaths of the five people, with unidentified persons named as accused. Jatan Pahan of Nurpur village filed the case. He said the truck driver and helper fled immediately after the incident, but the sand-laden truck has been seized by police. Further legal action will be taken following investigation.

Mahadebpur upazila nirbahi officer Md Arifuzzaman told Views Bangladesh that the families of the deceased would definitely be provided with financial assistance and the necessary process is underway.