Highlights:
- Auto-rickshaw driver and passenger killed in collision
- Locals block railway line over lack of crossing gate and gateman
- Railway official says a gateman will be deployed soon
Two people, including a battery-run auto-rickshaw driver, were killed when a Parjatak Express train hit their vehicle at an unguarded railway crossing in Chattogram’s Satkania today (20 September), prompting locals to block the railway line in protest.
The accident occurred around 1:30pm at the East Katgarh railway crossing in Kaliayish union, said Satkania Police Station Officer-in-Charge Priton Sarker.
The deceased were identified as Abu Taher, 50, a grocery shop owner from Maingpara in Kaliayish union, and Abdus Shukkur, 40, an auto-rickshaw driver from Ward 3 of Dharmapur union.
According to local residents, Taher was returning home after shopping in Dohazari when the auto-rickshaw was crossing the railway line at East Katgarh and was hit by the train.
Taher died on the spot. Shukkur was critically injured and was being taken by locals towards Chattogram Medical College Hospital when he died on the way.
Following the accident, locals placed tree trunks on the railway line and blocked train movement, demanding the installation of a crossing gate and the appointment of a gateman at the site.
They alleged that vehicles and pedestrians have long been forced to cross the railway line without any gate or railway staff to control movement.
The Cox’s Bazar Express, travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka, was delayed by around one hour and 28 minutes, while the Probal Express, also travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Chattogram, was held up for around two hours and eight minutes.
Police later went to the scene and removed the protesters, allowing train services to resume around 4pm.
The protesters said they had repeatedly demanded safety measures and the appointment of a gateman at the crossing.
Chattogram Divisional Transport Officer Farhan Mahmud told The Business Standard that a shortage of gatemen was an issue.
“There is a problem regarding the gateman. However, a proposal has been submitted to appoint one, and a gateman will be deployed at the site very soon,” he said.
Satkania Police Station OC Priton Sarker said the bodies had been recovered and legal procedures were underway.
“The bodies have been recovered, and legal procedures are underway,” he said.
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