Reckless bike takes Runa’s life
The 22-month-old girl Labiba is too young to speak clearly. She lisps, “Where is my Nuna (Runa) mother?” as she wants her mother back. The child waits all day long, but her mother does not return. The recklessness of a motorcyclist took away her life on Friday. Runa Akhter, a government official at the department of public works, was strangled to death as her scarf was entangled up with one of the wheels of a motorcycle on Friday evening.
Describing the tragic crash, Runa’s sister Tania Akhter said, “Coming out of our Motijheel AGB Colony flat (98/B-2), we (I and my sister) were waiting on the traffic island to cross the road.”
“A total of four motorcyclists passed us, blaring their horns loudly at high speed. My sister stepped down the road, and then, another bike slammed her and her scarf was pulled. She stumbled on the bike and the reckless biker speeded up, dragging her on the road a long way,” she added.
“At one stage, the motorcyclist, pushed my sister on to the island and ran over her, breaking her both legs and killing her on the spot,” said Tania, a final-year BBA student.
The headlight of the biker was not switched on and he did not us his horn that evening, she added. As the scarf was tangled up with one of the wheels of the bike, the motorbike got stopped and police, with the help of locals, caught the rider red-handed. Runa was first rushed to Islami Bank Hospital and then shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. However, DMCH on-duty doctors declared her dead. Runa’s husband, Lutfar Rahman filed a case with the Motijheel police station in this regard, accusing motorcyclist Al Amin, 19, who is now in jail. Runa’s father, Mohammad Sobhan was an employee of the public works department. After his retirement, Runa joined the department and got the flat allotted for her father. She used to live in the colony with her father, mother and younger sister, Tania. Runa married Lutfar Rahman just four years ago.
Mohammad Sobahan said, “How would I bring up my grandchild? The three of us used to live in my daughter’s house. Miscreants create panic motorbike racing every day, but none could protest it in fear. I am doubtful about their trial, but am still asking for justice.”
Runa’s mother Shahida Begum said that her daughter had dreamt of so many things, but all were smashed in this accident. “I know that she would not return, but pray so that none faces the same fate.” Reckless motorbike races take place every day as miscreants go rowdy, several residents of AGB Colony alleged.
“The miscreants are often involved in mugging, snatching and stalking women on their motorbikes. No one can speak out against them, but now we cannot take Runa’s death easily,” they said demanding punishment of the culprits.
The accused Al-Amin’s father, Shah Alam told Prothom Alo said that his son was underage and yet to become an 18-year-old, He is studying in a college. “My child rides a motorbike. I do not know whether his motorbike knocked down the woman or anything else. If he is responsible for the accident, I would take responsibility for bringing up the victim’s minor daughter,” Shah Alam added.