It was a dream to get my grandson circumcised and sing Gazi songs. I will buy my son-in-law a motorcycle. I will see a happy smile on my daughter’s face. But that dream was not fulfilled for Nur Sahara Begum. Unable to bear the family feud with her husband, Mitu Begum poisoned her five-year-old child and committed suicide. Nur Sahara still breaks down in tears over the death of her daughter and grandson. “What was wrong with my mother and granddaughter? My son-in-law used to quarrel.

Out of this sadness, my mother-in-law took her grandson and poisoned him and died,” she said in a tearful voice. This heartbreaking incident took place in Sonargaon, Narayanganj on October 11. On the same day, another couple committed suicide by hanging themselves in the same area. The local town was stunned by four suicides in just one day. Kaler Kantho conducted an investigation to find the answer to the question of why suicides are increasing day by day in Narayanganj, known as an industrial and commercial city.

The investigation revealed various worrying facts and realities. Mental crisis is increasing behind the scenes of the industrial area Nearly 30 lakh people live in Narayanganj. Being one of the largest industrial areas in the country, a large number of workers work here in various factories. The investigation found that a significant proportion of suicides occur among tenant families.

This tendency is higher among them than among local residents.
Those concerned say that acquaintance at work leads to love, and later marriage. After a few days, family quarrels, extramarital affairs, financial crisis or mental instability create a rift in the marital relationship. Many people are taking extreme decisions based on minor disputes or emotions. On September 23 of this year, housewife Ritu Begum committed suicide in the Hajiganj area of ​​Fatullah.

According to local sources, Ritu and Masum Mia got married based on acquaintance and love while working in a factory. Later, after learning about her husband’s extramarital affair, marital strife began. At one stage, Ritu chose the path of suicide.

Three bodies of a family On September 16, the bodies of a husband, wife and four-year-old child were recovered from a flat in Baburail Boubazar area of ​​Narayanganj city. The deceased were Habibullah Shiplu, his wife Mohini Akhter Meem and son Afran. Initial police investigation revealed that a pillow had been pressed over the mother and child’s faces and Shiplu was found hanging from a fan in another room.

Relatives and neighbors of the deceased believe that this tragic incident began due to long-term financial crisis and depression. Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Al Mehedi said that various aspects of the incident have been investigated. It is initially believed to be a family tragedy caused by depression.

In the study of the reasons behind suicide, some common reasons have emerged – extramarital affairs and marital strife, failure in love, drug addiction, dowry pressure, child marriage, unemployment and economic crisis, family abuse, social and psychological stress, fraud and debt burden. According to experts, the rapidly changing social reality, loneliness and lack of awareness about mental health services are making the situation more complicated.

No visible initiatives for prevention Awareness activities to prevent suicide locally are very limited. Regular counseling, seminars or social campaigns by non-governmental organizations, public representatives or social workers are not visible. Utsav Bairagi, program organizer of non-governmental development organization Action Aid, said, “Despite the implementation of awareness programs against drugs and dowry, the suicide rate is not decreasing.

We need to think about this issue in a new way and take community-based initiatives.” Advocate Abul Bashar Rubel, a lawyer at the Narayanganj Judge Court, said, “If every suicide incident is properly investigated and necessary social and legal measures are ensured, this trend can be reduced to a large extent.” A worrying picture analysis of the data shows that the highest number of suicides occur in Bandar in the district. Rupganj is in second place and Sonargaon Upazila is in third place.

Psychologists say that as life becomes more complicated, mental stress also increases. And if there is no ability to deal with that pressure, many people are inclined to make wrong decisions. Life is precious now, when it comes to learning to live. Temporary sadness, depression or family crisis can never be a reason to end a life.

However, many lives are constantly being lost due to lack of awareness, limitations in mental health services and lack of social support. This silent crisis in the industrial city of Narayanganj is now not just a law and order or family problem; it is a social and public health challenge. The concerned believe that family, society, administration and all concerned parties must take coordinated initiatives to prevent suicide.

Land sale proceeds, drug trade and reckless speeding addiction have revealed that the number of motorcycles in Narayanganj has increased at an abnormal rate in the last decade. According to those concerned, the use of motorcycles has spread rapidly due to three reasons: the increase in land prices several times, the opportunity to buy motorcycles in easy installments and the addiction to speed among the young generation.

Locals said that many families have bought motorcycles for their sons with a part of the money they received from selling land. Again, some young people involved in illegal income including drug trade have also easily become owners of motorcycles. Once upon a time, motorcycles were a luxury vehicle for ordinary families. Now they have become a familiar sight in almost every neighborhood and village.

According to relevant sources, the number of motorcycles in Narayanganj has increased by about 70 times in the last decade. Currently, about 25,000 motorcycles are plying in the district, including registered, unregistered and ‘applied’ number plates. But accidents have also increased in line with the increase in the number of vehicles. Most of the 127 people killed in motorcycle accidents in the last five years were young people.

Rupganj has the highest death toll, according to an analysis of district BRTA, police station, highway police and traffic police data. Rupganj upazila has the highest death toll in motorcycle accidents.

In the past five years, 34 people have died there. Next is Sonargaon, where 24 people have died. 23 people have died in Bandar, 13 in Araihazar, 12 in Siddhirganj, 12 in Narayanganj Sadar and 9 in Fatulla.

Unlicensed drivers, ‘applied’ number plates and noise pollution The investigation found that many of the approximately 20,000 motorcycles plying in the district do not have valid registration and drivers do not have driving licenses. Many motorcycles have been using ‘applied’ number plates for a long time. Although permanent registration is supposed to be obtained within the prescribed time according to the law, many are not doing so. A large number of these motorcycles are using loud horns and modified silencers.

As a result, noise pollution on the roads is also increasing at an alarming rate. When a convoy of motorcycles comes out for political rallies, victory processions or social events, the people around them suffer greatly due to the honking and high-pitched horns for hours. Teenage bikers are becoming a terror on the roads. Locals complain that many young bikers are using the roads as racing tracks.

Excessive speeding in groups, one-wheel stunts, sudden lane changes, honking unnecessarily and scaring pedestrians have become entertainment for them. Sometimes, there are allegations of indecent remarks, intimida.

Why is the 300-foot road a death trap?
Being wide, modern and relatively free from traffic jams, the 300-foot road has become the most attractive route for motorcyclists. But this convenience has become a curse for many. According to the district BRTA and police, 13 of the 39 people who died in motorcycle accidents from January to September this year lost their lives on this road. Several fatal accidents have occurred here in the last two years as well.
Talking to local residents, transport related people and law enforcement officials, it was revealed that excessive speed, motorcycle racing at night, incompetent drivers, not using helmets, sudden lane changes and disobeying traffic laws are the main reasons for the accidents. When the night is late, many young people race on this road in groups. Then the road turns into a racing track.

‘Yamdoot’ five roads, 47 hotspots According to information from the BRTA, police stations, highway police and traffic police, at least 47 risky places (hotspots) for motorcycle accidents have been identified on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway, Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, Asian Bypass, 300-foot Road and Narayanganj Link Road.

Although fatalities often occur at these places, effective preventive measures are not yet visible. Locals complain that most hotspots do not have speed control systems, adequate warning signboards, regular surveillance or speed monitoring. As a result, the risk of accidents remains.

Obstacles to operations, pressure on law enforcement Several police officials said that when operations are carried out against unlicensed or underage drivers, there is often pressure from political and influential circles. As a result, law enforcement is hampered in many cases. Although the police say that regular operations are being conducted to restore order on the roads.

Experts’ advice Those concerned with road safety believe that it is not possible to reduce motorcycle accidents by conducting raids alone. Strict enforcement of the law is needed, as well as increasing public awareness. According to them, regular raids should be conducted against minors and unlicensed drivers.

A zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against motorcycle racing and reckless speeding. Speed ​​cameras, CCTV and warning systems should be strengthened in 47 risky hotspots. Effective policies should be implemented to control reckless motorcycle convoys during political rallies and social events. Road safety awareness activities should be increased at school, college and university levels.

I want to save dreams, safe roads A motorcycle accident does not only take the life of a person; it breaks the long-standing dreams of a family, ends the last refuge of parents, the future of wife and children and the hopes of relatives.

Therefore, restoring order on the roads, ensuring impartial enforcement of the law and controlling reckless motorcycle traffic are the need of the hour. Otherwise, every day, the dreams of some family will be crushed by the reckless speed of two-wheelers.