A former union parishad member was killed on Sunday afternoon after being struck by a speeding, brick-laden lorry on the Chittagong-Rangamati highway in Raozan upazila, Chittagong. The tragedy triggered widespread anger among local residents, who blockaded the vital artery for an hour to demand an immediate end to reckless driving.
The victim, 55-year-old Nurul Islam, was a resident of North Lelonggara village in Binajuri Union and the son of the late Anju Miah Sarang. Islam, a father of three sons and a daughter, was a former councillor for Ward 9 of Binajuri Union and was currently employed at a private insurance firm.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred at around 12:30 pm in the Jalilnagar area of Raozan town. Islam had just stepped out of his office and was attempting to cross the highway when a fast-moving lorry heading towards Chittagong knocked him down and ran him over. He died on the spot from severe injuries.
News of the fatality spread rapidly, prompting an outraged crowd to gather at the scene. Demonstrators staged a roadblock at the Jalilnagar intersection, chanting slogans against uncontrolled heavy traffic and negligent drivers. The hour-long protest caused severe gridlock, queueing vehicles for several kilometres on both sides of the highway.
Traffic movement resumed around 1:30 pm after officers from Raozan Police Station and the local highway police detachment arrived, reassuring the crowd that strict legal measures would be taken against those responsible.
Speaking to the media, the victim’s son, Mohammad Samir, alleged that his father’s death was tantamount to murder, calling upon the authorities to swiftly apprehend the driver.
Saiful Islam, the Officer-in-Charge of Raozan Police Station, confirmed that police had impounded the vehicle involved, though the driver managed to flee the scene immediately after the crash. The victim’s body was subsequently transported to a local hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination, with formal legal proceedings currently underway. Highway accidents involving heavy transport vehicles carrying building supplies remain a persistent safety challenge across the regional road network.
