Joypurhat Correspondent:
July 11, 2006—A heartbreaking accident occurred at the Amutt rail crossing in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat. At least 40 passengers were killed when a train hit a passenger bus while it was crossing the railway line. Another 38 people were injured. However, 8-year-old Sohanur Rahman, a second-grade student, survived the horrific incident after his grandfather Abdul Hamid threw him out of the window onto the railway line. It was his grandfather’s sacrifice that brought Sohanur back from the brink of death.
Today marks the 19th anniversary of that accident.
Describing the incident, Sohanur, now 28, said, “I was in second grade at the time. I was going to Joypurhat with my grandfather. Suddenly the bus stopped at the railway gate, and then I started screaming when I saw the train coming. My grandfather threw me out the window. I regained consciousness in the hospital.”
Sohanur’s grandfather, Abdul Hamid, died on the spot.
Three members of the same family die
Md. Morshed, a resident of Shanta village, said his father and two brothers were killed in the accident. He said, “We have been carrying this grief for 19 years. Nothing has been done to commemorate it yet.”
Unprotected railway crossing now safe, no memorial plaque
The railway crossing was completely unguarded at the time of the incident. There were no gates or gatemen. Akkelpur Railway Station Master Hasibul Alam said, “After the accident, a permanent gate and a 24-hour gateman have been provided at the railway crossing. Now it is safe.”
Although the then municipal chairman announced the construction of a memorial plaque, it has not been implemented to date.
In this regard, Akkelpur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Manjurul Alam said, “If anyone applies to build a monument as a memorial to the accident, we will try to implement it this year.”
The day is just silent mourning.
The people of Joypurhat commemorate this day every year, but there is no formal arrangement. Although there is a local mourning ceremony to commemorate the victims, there is no official initiative.
