Editorial
Traffic shut off around DU
Why push the people around?
Commuters were forced to curb their movement significantly as police blocked off major roads around Dhaka University (DU) campus on Wednesday.
It defies commonsense how the police could cut off some major communication arteries of the city without prior notice just to prevent what they claim possible vandalism on the road. Being thus caught in the mess, the only option left to the public was to either make long detours in their vehicles or to walk to their destinations.
Ironically though, police said they wanted to reduce public suffering through avoidance of vandalism in the wake of a student's fatal accident at Shahbagh crossing. The effect of their action has been increased public hardship.
Such knee-jerk ad-hoc step without due diligence to prevent vandalism through persuasion and mob control measures is a classic case of misplaced emphasis. And it places people at the receiving end of their incompetence-induced hardships. Are the police doing it because members of the public are too meek and are not willing to turn violent and go on the rampage breaking vehicles and public properties like the students?
The Shahbagh crossing is known for its vulnerability to road mishaps. And these are invariably followed by violence and vandalism unleashed by agitated students.
Pedestrian traffic is very ill-managed in the area. And reckless driving is also rampant.
Considering all these, the authorities had promised to build underpasses at important points. But unfortunately, these are yet to materialise risking lives of pedestrians in particular. Here we would also like to point out the necessity for the pedestrians to cross roads carefully at the busy intersections.
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