A nine-year-old schoolboy was tragically killed in Dinajpur’s Chirirbandar Upazila on Thursday morning following a head-on collision between a battery-operated van and a passenger bus. Four others, including three children and the van driver, sustained injuries in the incident, which has sparked protests by local residents, teachers, and students.

The accident occurred at around 9:45 am near Amtali Bazaar, in front of Molla Golden Hope Pre-Cadet School, when a group of children were travelling to school in a battery-powered van. Witnesses report that as the van attempted to cross the Dinajpur–Gobindganj highway, a bus belonging to Ahad Enterprise, heading towards Dhaka, struck the vehicle and fled the scene. The impact caused the van to overturn, with young Junaid, a first-grade student from 13 Mile area in Chirirbandar, being thrown onto the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The three other students and the van driver were rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for treatment. Their current condition is reported as stable, although authorities continue to monitor them closely.

In response to the accident, enraged students, teachers, and local residents staged a road blockade in front of the school, demanding immediate safety measures, including the installation of speed breakers and warning signage along the busy highway. The protest caused significant traffic congestion, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on either side of the road.

Chirirbandar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Mahmudun Nabi, stated: “Police are actively working to manage the situation. We have informed the higher authorities, and legal action will be taken against those responsible for this tragic incident.”

Key Details of the Incident

Authorities have urged witnesses to come forward with information about the bus involved. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety for schoolchildren in Dinajpur, particularly on major highways passing through populated areas.