Driver of bus that killed Abrar had no licence!

Atiqul Islam, businessman-turned-mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, wondered how the driver of the bus that killed university student Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury in Dhaka on Tuesday was running a heavy vehicle without licence required.

The driver was engaged in operating the bus although he had licence only for running smaller vehicles, the mayor of the ruling Awami League said on Wednesday when he went to talk to the agitating students near Bashundhara.

Several hundred students gathered there in protest against the death of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury when a Suprabhat bus ran over him in Nodda area of the city on Tuesday morning.

“How is it possible that the driver was running a bus without a licence proper? Legal action is being taken against him,” said Atiqul Islam.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah, who also went there, said the services of the Suprabhat remain suspended and the route permit of the bus that killed the student was cancelled.

The bus driver, Sirajul Islam, was detained immediately after the mishap on Tuesday morning.

The protesting students came up with a set of demands including punishment for the driver, improvement in the licencing process, and other steps that can address the problems that lead to such accidents.

Mayor Atiqul said, steps would be taken following discussion at the top level of the government.