Meghna Trawler Capsize Tragedy

22 bodies buried in Chatmohar upazila

21 January 2009, 18:00 PM

Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu, Pabna

Locals have a last glimpse of Meghna tragedy victims after namaz-e-janaja in Chatmohar upazila, left, and relatives of a deceased wail.Photo: STAR

As bodies of 22 people, killed in trawler capsize in Meghna river on Monday night, reached the village in the early morning yesterday, a pall of gloom descended at Chaikula and adjoining villages of Chatmohar upazila in Pabna district. Several thousands of people including public representatives, upazila election candidates, political leaders rushed to Chaikula village where sorrows and pathos overwhelmed the upazila election fever that grips the whole country. After namaj-e-janaja, the villagers buried the bodies yesterday. The 22 victims of trawler capsize in Meghna river in Doshain area under Motleb upazila are residents of Chaikula and adjoining villages in Chatmohor upazila. The deceased are Masud, Akkas, Mukul, Altaf, Amirul, Arif, Ashraf, Joynal, Alaj, Farid, Liton, Mizanur, Rabiul, Monir, Noor Mohammad, Nayeb, Alauddin, Zahirul, Atahar, Nabir, Ripon and Shah Alam. Being the lone bread earners for their families, they had gone to Chandpur to earn as day labourers. Four brothers Nur Mohammed, Alauddin, Alhaj Uddin and Shah Alam -- all from village Chaikula were among the victims of the trawler capsize tragedy. Their mother, wives, children and other relatives became speechless to see the bodies. “I have nothing to run my family. Just an incomplete tin-shed room is our only asset,” said Fulmoti, wife of Nobir who left behind four daughters. Similar pathetic scene was seen at houses of other victim families. Local upazila administration has sanctioned 20 kg rice for each victim family while lawmaker from Pabna-3 constituency Md Mokbul Hossain have urged the locals to come forward with helping hands to the bereaved families.