2 killed as bus rams autorickshaw on Dhaka-Aricha highway

Two people were killed and two others injured when a bus belonging to 'Selfie Paribahan' rammed a battery-powered autorickshaw on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Manikganj on Thursday morning, triggering protests that brought traffic to a halt for nearly two hours.

The accident occurred around 9:30AM near Barongail bus stand, according to highway police and Fire Service sources, on the morning of World Day of Road Safety.

The deceased were identified as Yasin Arafat, 22, son of Md Shahin of Mouhali village in Ghior upazila, and Bablu Mia, 28, the autorickshaw driver and a resident of the same village.

Yasin’s father, Md Shahin Mia, and mother, Rozina Akter, 40, were injured in the crash.

According to police and local sources, Shahin was travelling with his wife and son in the autorickshaw from Mouhali village towards Barongail market on Thursday morning.

As the family was about to get off near Barongail bus stand on the highway, a Dhaka-bound Selfie Paribahan bus travelling from Paturia struck the autorickshaw from behind, crushing the smaller vehicle.

Yasin died on the spot. Bablu sustained critical injuries and died shortly after being taken for medical treatment.

The injured parents were admitted to Munno Medical College Hospital. Shahin’s condition was reported to be critical.


Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of the road, leaving women, children and elderly passengers facing severe hardship amid long queues.

Protesters alleged that repeated accidents involving Selfie Paribahan had caused deaths and injuries without effective action against the operator. They said local residents had previously held human chains and submitted memorandums to the deputy commissioner demanding action against the company, but meaningful measures had not followed.

Shibaloy Police Station OC Aminul Islam said the transport company had faced allegations in connection with multiple accidents involving casualties.

The deputy commissioner and superintendent of police spoke with the protesters through a video call and assured them that prompt action would be taken against the transport operator, he said.

The protesters subsequently withdrew the blockade, allowing traffic to resume on the highway.