United News of Bangladesh

Local people set two dump trucks on fire after a trader was killed after being hit by one of them on Dhaka–Rajshahi highway in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Akram, 60, owner of a tailoring shop in Sardah Thanapara of Rajshahi district. The Natore-bound sand-laden dump truck knocked Akram  down while he was crossing the road and dragged him for a few yards, leaving him dead on the spot around 7 am in front of Biraldah Mazar. Angered by the accident, local people blocked the highway and set fire to the dump truck. They also set anther dump truck on fire which was passing the highway at that time. Meanwhile, locals also set fire to some mobile phone sets and vandalised others as some people were found recording video footage of the incident on mobile phones. Vehicular movement on the highway remained halted for some time following the accident. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Officer-in-Charge of Puthia Police Station Faridul Islam. Locals demanded a ban on dump truck movement in the area during daytime and the installation of speed breakers on the road. Farhad Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Rajshahi Fire Service and Civil Defence, said they extinguished the fire with the help of police and local people.