A tragic road accident in Shariatpur town has claimed the life of Ratan Poddar, a tea vendor and sole provider for his two orphaned children. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening along the Shariatpur–Madaripur regional highway in the Dhanuka area, highlighting persistent concerns over reckless driving and pedestrian safety on Bangladesh’s regional highways.

According to Palang Model Police Station and local witnesses, 45-year-old Poddar was attempting to cross the highway after concluding personal errands. Video footage circulating on social media shows Poddar raising both hands to signal oncoming traffic. Whilst several vehicles came to a halt, a minibus belonging to the Shariatpur Inter-District Bus Owners’ Association failed to slow down, striking him violently. Poddar was thrown several metres onto the tarmac, sustaining critical injuries to his head and body.

Local residents rushed Poddar to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. Given the severity of his injuries, attending physicians administered primary care before transferring him to a specialised facility in Dhaka. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 9:00 pm whilst en route to the capital.

The incident sparked immediate outrage among onlookers, who pursued the fleeing minibus, apprehended the driver, and handed him over to law enforcement. Shah Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Palang Model Police Station, confirmed that the vehicle has been impounded and the driver taken into custody. Police have initiated formal legal proceedings regarding the collision.

The tragedy has left the local community in deep mourning. Poddar, a resident of Dakshin Madhyapara in Ward 7 of Shariatpur Municipality, operated a small tea shop to support his family. His late mother, Yugal Bala Poddar, was a recognised Freedom Fighter (Bir Muktijoddha). Neighbours revealed that Poddar was still grieving the loss of his wife, who died of cardiac arrest just a month prior. Community members expressed profound anguish over the fate of the couple’s two young children, who have now lost both parents within a matter of weeks.

Local civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns about speed limit violations and inadequate pedestrian crossings along the Shariatpur–Madaripur thoroughfare, calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent further casualties.