A human chain was held in Sunamganj demanding justice for the tragic deaths of three people—Prathama Chowdhury, a student of Sunamganj Girls’ High School, her mother Abedita Chowdhury Ankhi, and driver Sajal Ghosh—in a road accident, as well as demanding safe roads.

On Sunday, September 28, at 11:30 a.m., the human chain took place at Alfat Uddin Square (Traffic Point) in the town, organized by Sunamkantha Literary Council and with two separate banners from Sunamganj Girls’ High School. The program was presided over by the president of Sunamkantha Literary Council Lecturer Dulal Mia, and conducted by its member retired sergeant Ziaur Rahman.

Speakers at the human chain included Bijon Sen Roy, editor and publisher of Daily Sunamkantha and adviser of Sunamkantha Literary Council; former principal and president of the managing committee of Sunamganj Girls’ High School, Professor Syed Mohibul Islam; Bangladesh College-University Teachers’ Association (BCUTA), Sunamganj District President Assistant Professor Shubhankar Talukdar; Assistant Head Teacher of Sunamganj Girls’ High School Md. Jamal Uddin; women leader Koli Talukdar Aroti; teacher leader Shamsul Alam Russel; social development worker Rinku Chowdhury; Vice-President of Sunamkantha Literary Council Sazaur Rahman; members poet and teacher Moshaiel Ahmad, Haidar Ali, Mithun Das; student of Sunamganj Girls’ High School Eva Akhter among others.

Speakers said that road accidents are now happening frequently in Sunamganj. Every month, several lives are being lost on the roads. The Sylhet–Sunamganj highway has turned into a death trap. Reckless driving, unskilled drivers, and the negligence of the authorities are causing the loss of talented students, colleagues, and loved ones. The administration cannot avoid responsibility. Nowadays, stepping out of the house does not guarantee a safe return. The Sylhet–Sunamganj regional highway is now occupied by unlicensed and unfit vehicles. Whenever accidents occur, the administration conducts superficial drives, which are nothing but a farce. To ensure safe and disciplined roads, administrative drives must continue consistently.

Referring to the tragic accident of September 26 that killed Sunamganj Girls’ High School student Prathama Chowdhury, her mother Akhi Chowdhury, and driver Sajal Ghosh, speakers demanded proper investigations into every such accident and exemplary punishment of those responsible. They further urged the administration to strictly prohibit unlicensed and unfit vehicles on the roads. Otherwise, they warned, if people continue to lose loved ones in this way and are pushed against the wall, the consequences will be grave. The people of Sunamganj will not remain silent. The drive must continue until roads become safe.

Others present at the human chain included teachers Masuk Ahmad, Sultan Ahmad, Imran Hasan, Mahbub Alam, Rupak Chakraborty, Bilkis Akhter, Raihan-e-Jannat Ripa, Manosi Roy, Miftahul Jannat, Snehangshu Das Pallab, Pinki, grassroots women entrepreneur-Shilpi Begum, Cynthia Akhter, Monowara Begum, Sima Nag, Sheila Basu, businessman Shibul Chandra Shil, Goutam Talukdar, social development worker Selim Jaigirder; Vice-President of Sunamkantha Literary Council Ahmed Nur Albab, finance secretary Shah Md. Kamruzzaman, members Haji Mozammel Hossain,Haydar Ali, Suranjit Gupta Ronju, Adil Arman, retired service holder Ismail Hossain; teachers and students of Sunamganj Girls’ High School, along with leaders of various social and cultural organizations.