BHANDARIA, PIROJPUR, July 3: The number of unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles on the roads of Bhandaria Upazila has increased alarmingly, with residents blaming reckless riding for a growing number of accidents and demanding the deployment of traffic police.
Locals say many young riders routinely violate traffic rules, putting pedestrians, students and other road users at risk.
According to local sources, the absence of a dedicated traffic police unit has allowed hundreds of motorcycles to operate without valid registration or driving licences.
Residents alleged that many of the riders gather around schools and colleges during class hours, where they frequently harass female students. They also accused the riders of speeding, carrying two or three passengers and weaving dangerously through traffic while sounding loud horns.
Some local people further alleged that a number of the reckless riders were involved in drug abuse and drug trafficking. They claimed that although police occasionally arrest suspected drug dealers, little visible action is taken against the unregistered and unlicensed motorcycles they use.
Abdul Mannan, convener of Bhandaria Municipal BNP, said he narrowly escaped being hit by a speeding motorcycle on Tuesday night.
"They have no regard for traffic rules or public safety. Many people in the upazila live in fear because of these reckless riders, and some have already suffered serious injuries in road accidents," he said.
Guardian and businessman Md Ilias Kazi questioned why parents continued to buy motorcycles for young people who ignored traffic regulations.
Teacher Md Mahfuzur Rahman said reckless riders often gathered near schools, colleges and madrasas, where they rode at high speed and harassed female students.
Residents demanded the immediate deployment of traffic police in the upazila and regular mobile court drives against riders operating motorcycles without valid registration or driving licences.
Officer-in-Charge of Bhandaria Police Station Dewan Jaglul Hasan said police had seized a motorcycle from in front of a school on Tuesday after its rider fled while attempting to evade officers.
He added that members of Bhandaria Police assist traffic police during monthly enforcement drives and said such operations would continue.
