Finance minister narrowly escapes car accident in Sylhet, 18 injured

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has narrowly escaped a car accident in Sylhet, in which 18 people were injured. The accident took place in front of the Sonnarpara Jamia Mosque of Roynagar in Sylhet city on Friday, after the Jumma prayer. The finance minister was exchanging greetings with a number of local Awami League leaders and activists at the location. When coming to pick him up, the finance minister’s car barely missed him after the driver had lost control. The swerving vehicle instead hit the Awami League leaders and activists who were speaking to Muhith. Confirming the news, Kotowali Model police station Officer-in-charge (OC) Gausul Hossain said the injured were immediately taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical Hospital, with three of the nine in critical condition. Officials of Sylhet Metropolitan have already visited the scene of the incident and interrogated the driver, the OC added, saying that the investigation was ongoing. Sylhet Awami League General Secretary Shafiqur Rahman’s personal assistant Kabirul Islam, Advisory Committee member SM Nunu Mia, Sramik League leader Nasir Mia, and Jubo League activists Manik and Abul Hossain are among the injured. Sylhet District Administrator Rahat Anwar has given Tk20,000 to Nasir Mia and Tk4,000 each to the other four for treatment of their injuries. The finance minister visited the injured at the hospital at 3:30pm, while Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque also visited in the evening.