Representative of Bidhan Mandal (Faridpur):
Students have blocked the Saltha-Faridpur regional road demanding a ban on the movement of Mahindra (three-wheeler) vehicles. The students held the protest at the Member Gotti area of the Saltha-Faridpur road from 10 am to 11:30 am today, Tuesday (February 25), in the wake of the recent road accident that killed two teachers and left two others paralyzed.
At that time, they started protesting by throwing two tree trunks and bamboos on the road and blocking the movement of vehicles on the road. This created a long traffic jam. Upon receiving the news, Saltha Upazila Executive Officer Md. Anisur Rahman Bali, Saltha Police Station OC Md. Ataur Rahman and Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Khandaker Khairul Basar Azad reached the spot and assured the students that their demands would be met. After that, the students raised several demands with the UNO and lifted the road blockade.
Students Nazmul Hasan, Shahin Kha, Sakibul Islam, Sajib Sheikh, Tuhin Hasan, Maimuna Sultana, Marzia and Radia Akhter spoke during the protest. They said that on Saturday (February 24), on the way home from school, the Mahindra car lost control and fell into a ditch, killing Asma Begum, the head teacher of Rangardia Government Primary School. Earlier, on November 21, 2024, the head teacher of Goalpara Government Primary School, Md. Eskender Ali, died in a road accident. Apart from this, recently, the head teacher of Khardia Mia Miapara Government Primary School, Razia Akhter, was seriously injured in a Mahindra accident. Later, her leg was amputated. Similarly, the head teacher of Bhawal Government Primary School, Akhtaruzzaman, was paralyzed.
The students said that due to the closure of bus services, Mahindra cars have taken over the Saltha-Faridpur road. These cars are moving at a reckless speed. Incompetent and intoxicated drivers are driving Mahindra cars. Even families are handing over Mahindra cars to children. Due to which terrible accidents are happening all the time. This is leading to one death after another. Many are sitting at home paralyzed. In such a situation, we will not allow Mahindra cars to drive on this road anymore.
Giving a three-day ultimatum to start buses on the Saltha-Faridpur road, he said, "I am drawing the attention of the administration and the concerned authorities to stop the movement of Mahindra vehicles on the Saltha-Faridpur road and start new buses. If Mahindra is not stopped and buses are not started within the next three days, then a strong movement will be launched by the students."
Saltha Upazila Executive Officer Md. Anisur Rahman Bali said, the students protested by blocking the road demanding the closure of Mahindra vehicles on the Saltha-Faridpur road and the introduction of buses. After receiving the news, we, along with the OC, went to the spot and agreed with the students' demands. We will inform the higher authorities about the students' demands. And we will find a solution to it.
He said, "In addition, the bus owners' association will be contacted regarding the issue of starting the bus. Hopefully, the students' demands will be met."
