Mirsarai Tragedy
Victims remembered
Mason Nizam Uddin is almost done with this memorial on Abu Torab high school premises. Forty three students of this institution died in a tragic road crash in Mirsarai, Chittagong, on April 11 last year. The mason lost his youngest son in the accident but is still trying to keep him alive somehow. The photo was shot yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
Grief-stricken people of different unions under Mirsarai upazila yesterday commemorated the deaths of 44 school students and a local guardian who died owing to a road accident on Abu Torab road on July 11 last year. They urged the government to formulate strict laws that deal harsh punishment to reckless drivers to avert such tragic deaths in future. In an inaugural programme, Industries Minister Dilip Barua yesterday afternoon inaugurated a monument named “Aabeg” (emotion), constructed on the premises of Abu Torab Bahumukhi High School. Prof Saiful Kabir, Institute of Fine Arts at Chittagong University, designed the monument displaying portraits of the 45 victims. Mirsarai upazila Chairman Md Gias Uddin chaired the programme, which was organised by the upazila parishad. Dilip Barua said that no human being can escape death but the shock of such a tragic accident and the huge loss is unforgettable for the bereaved family members. Terming the loss “irreparable”, the minister said the memory of these victims would be everlasting and the monument would continue to display this loss forever. The minister ensured the victims' family members of providing all kinds of support to them. Jafar Sadek, headmaster of Abu Torab Bahumukhi High School, said the tragic death of the students in the accident brought a 'mountain like' grief for the people of the locality. He thanked the government and the local administration for extending immediate help to the victims' families. The whole locality showed grief through carrying banners, which displayed the photographs of the dead students. Upazila Vice Chairman Rehana Akter also spoke, among others, at the programme. On July 11 last year, a truck carrying over 60 students skidded of the road and fell into a roadside ditch. Of the forty five victims, thirty one were students of Abu Torab Bahumukhi High School and four were its former students. There were also three students of Abu Torab Government Primary School, two of Abu Torab Fazil Madrasa, two of Abu Torab SM Government Primary School, and two students of Abu Torab Prof Kamal Uddin Chowdhury College and a local guardian. The students were returning home after enjoying a football match held at Mirsarai upazila stadium.
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