NETRAKONA, Feb 18: Unnatural death incidents are growing up unabated in the district due to lack of proper awareness and effective administrative actions.
According to official sources, in the last year (2023), a total of 239 unwanted death incidents were registered in the district. Most of these fatalities were due to road accidents. Other reasons included murder, hanging, poison-taking, electrocution and drowning.
But according to sentient analysts, unofficially the number of such death incidents will be higher. This is because all death incidents due to road mishap, drowning and electrocution were not registered because of many reasons including police harassment and autopsy, they added.
According to sources at Netrakona Modern Sadar Hospital, in 2023, 239 road mishap fatalities were recorded in the district. These included 15 ones in January, 12 in February, 27 each in March and April, 20 in May, 16 in June, 19 in July, 26 in August, 18 each in October and November and 22 in December.
A journalist and freedom fighter Haidar Jahan Chowdhury, who is actively working in demand of safe road, said, firstly it needs to train up drivers as skilled ones with traffic rules under the combined initiative of BRTA, District Transport Owners Association, and District Motorjan Shramik Karmachari Union.
They will have to be made aware about driving rules and regulations, he added.
He further said, the traffic department will have to work more honestly and sincerely so that under-age, unskilled and drug addicted drivers can drive.
Assistant Director of BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority)-Netrakona Eng Keshab Kumar Das said, a total of 91 deaths and injuries were registered in 81 road accidents in Netrakona in the last one year.
"We are continuing awareness among drivers and helpers of bus, truck, pickup, van and other vehicles and pedestrians to prevent road accidents. Drivers and helpers are being trained up about traffic rules and public safety," he added.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Foyez Ahmed said, "We, on behalf of the Police Department, are working to implement the safe road act in order to prevent road accidents."
Besides, he added, an awareness raising activity is being carried out among drivers, helpers and pedestrians so that they abide by the traffic law in the interest of preventing the road accident.
He further said, in the case of road accidents, the Police Department is taking cases. After arresting accused drivers, they are being produced before the court, the SP maintained.
