Editorial
Violence after road death
RMG workers' mindlessness
It seems that we have been endlessly caught up in the vicious cycle of death and destruction. The latest incident occurred on Dhaka-Gazipur highway when an RMG worker was killed after being run over by a passenger bus and the inevitable followed. Dozens of vehicles were smashed and many shops damaged. And the three major road links saw massive tailbacks. While we have all the sympathy for the dead and the injured, we find the automatic violent reaction rather incomprehensible. The grief is only but natural but the anger vented on hapless passers by and business establishments cannot be condoned.
And it is quite coincidental that a large number of RMG manufacturing factories straddle the main highways, and indeed in Dhaka city they are situated alongside the major roads, making movements on these extremely hazardous. And this brings us to the fundamental question of how to put an end to this.
First and foremost, it is essential to bring to book the culprit driver to book, and do so quickly. We have hardly come across news of an offending driver punished for running over a person. This is time to legislate mandatory minimum punishment for causing death due to negligent driving. And we feel that the situation calls for speedy disposal of road accident-related cases. The role of the police is no less important in ensuring that speed limits are maintained, particularly near the crossings and built up areas. And equally important is the role of the management who must encourage their workers to desist from violence in such an eventuality.
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