Two trucks set on fire after trader killed

RAJSHAHI, May 05 (UNB): Local people set two dump trucks on fire after a trader was killed when he was hit by one of them on the 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 another dump truck on fire while it was passing along the highway at that time.

Meanwhile, locals also set fire to some mobile phone sets and vandalised others after finding some people recording video footage of the incident on their 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.