Puthia Road Crash Sparks Unrest

A road traffic incident in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district resulted in the death of a pedestrian, followed by public unrest that led to arson, vandalism, and temporary disruption of law enforcement operations on Tuesday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Akkas Ali (50), a resident of the Charghat Thana Para area. The accident occurred at approximately 7:00 am on the highway adjacent to the Mazar area in Puthia.

According to eyewitness accounts, two drum trucks were reportedly engaged in high-speed competition on the highway when one or both vehicles lost control. In the process, one of the trucks struck Akkas Ali, who was standing beside the road at the time. He died on the spot due to the severity of the impact.

Following the fatal collision, the situation quickly escalated. Local residents, angered by the incident, set fire to the two drum trucks involved in the accident. The blaze caused significant damage to both vehicles before it could be brought under control.

When a vehicle from the Paba Highway Police Station arrived at the scene to manage the situation, it too came under attack. The angry crowd reportedly vandalised the police vehicle, disrupting immediate response efforts. The unrest further intensified when a journalist from a daily newspaper, Mohammad Ali, attempted to record video footage of the incident. According to reports, his mobile phone, along with several other mobile devices belonging to bystanders or media personnel, were damaged by members of the agitated crowd.

Subsequently, a team from Puthia Police Station reached the location; however, they were reportedly unable to carry out effective operations due to resistance from the gathered crowd. The situation remained tense for some time, with law enforcement temporarily unable to restore order.

Later, a unit from the Puthia Fire Service arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire on the two trucks. Following the firefighting operation and continued presence of authorities, the situation gradually stabilised. Normal traffic movement on the highway resumed after conditions were brought under control.

A senior official from the Paba Highway Police Station, Officer-in-Charge Mozammel Haque Kazi, confirmed the incident. He stated that police responded immediately after being informed and attempted to manage the situation at the scene. He also acknowledged that the highway police vehicle was damaged during the unrest caused by local residents.

Summary of Key Details

The incident highlights the rapid escalation of road accidents into public disorder in the area, as well as the operational challenges faced by emergency responders in managing such situations.