Star Diary

DUBIOUS DEAL

A few months ago, I was on my way to Farmgate by bus. When it stopped at the traffic signal at Bijoy Sarani, I noticed a police sergeant on the sidewalk, talking to a motorcyclist. The biker repeatedly requested the policeman to let him go. Turning down his appeal, the sergeant asked for valid documents of the bike. The man informed that he had all necessary and legal documents of the bike, which he had mistakenly left at home, as he was in a hurry.  Unconvinced by his plea, the police officer then insisted that he pay him some money to let the matter slide. I could not know the fate of the biker, as the traffic started moving by then. I was certain, however, that the motorcyclist was not able to escape so easily from the clutches of the corrupt policeman without paying him off. Like this policeman, many people in our society cannot comprehend that they are already being paid to do their job. Asking for extra money from hapless people will only damage their professional integrity. They do not realise that through such illegal activities, they are disgracing their profession as well as the organisation which they work for.  
Md Farooque Hossain
Mirpur, Dhaka

Laughable Efforts

The long road from Banani to Uttara is invariably busy all the time. On a trip to Uttara from Banani, my car stopped at the signal in front of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. I noticed that two traffic policemen were standing at opposite sides of the road, holding on to a tightrope for smooth traffic movement. This method was invented to prevent people from jaywalking. However, a passer-by tripped over the rope when it was raised without caution and people behind me fell over as well, as in a stampede. Such ridiculous measures should be stopped and the authorities concerned should take necessary measures to this effect.   
Samiul Raijul
North South University
Dhaka

Photo: Zahedul I Khan