Another young life has been tragically cut short in a road accident involving a bus.
There have been widespread protests, with a 12-point demand being sent to the mayor, and it is good to see that Mayor Atiqul Islam is engaging with the student protesters, and working towards a constructive solution.
This is the kind of engagement and responsiveness we need -- and expect -- from our elected officials, so kudos to the mayor for his prompt action.
Each year, we read about multiple deaths occurring because of road accidents, the statistics of which seem to rise at an alarming rate year by year.Voices have been raised in the past, but many feel frustrated that their voices have not been heard; to that end, Mayor Atiqul’s promise to “work collectively to bring an end to this” is a necessary assurance, and one that will be remembered by all those who demand safer roads.
While it is indeed a failure of the existing administration that -- despite all the development we have witnessed and all the progress we have made as a nation -- road accidents are still one of the most prevailing causes of death in Bangladesh, a solution will only come about through the government and the people working together in good faith.
We mourn the death of Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury and stand in solidarity with his fellow classmates in demanding safer roads, but now we hope for a solution through a rational discussion, not by adding to the woes of the dwellers of this city.
It is clear from the mayor’s response that the government is willing to act to change things, and that is a step in the right direction.