1,443 robbers identified as Highway Police boost Eid security

Highway Police have identified 1,443 robbers and launched a crackdown to ensure safety during Eid travels.

Transport owners and workers are calling for tighter regulation of smaller vehicles, including three-wheelers and motorcycles, to ensure smoother travel on the highways.

In a discussion over safer Eid travels at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday, the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association presented seven recommendations.

In the meeting, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) of Highway Police Shafiqul Islam said, "A drive has been launched against 1,443 robbers involved in highway robberies after identifying them.

“A total of 340 teams are in operations across the 3,900km national highway.

“Keep the Highway Police hotline number with you during your Eid journeys. We guarantee a response within 15 minutes of your call," he added.

The officer also urged expatriates to make use of the Highway Police services when carrying luggage or baggage to their homes during Eid-ul-Fitr.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Engineering) Mohammad Shahidullah, who was also present at the discussion, said the regulatory body would work with "limited capacity" to curb road accidents.

He added: "BRTA is committed to stopping unfit vehicles. Vigilance teams will work in all 64 districts to prevent overcharging.

“A joint effort from passengers, transport owners, workers, and police is needed for a safe and smooth Eid journey."

Abdur Rahim Baksh Dudu, president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation (BRTWF), called for control over three-wheeled vehicles, including battery-operated autorickshaws and motorcycles, to ensure safety.

"We will stand by the passengers and take immediate action on any complaint during the Eid journey," he said.

Saiful Alam, general secretary of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, blamed the interim government's flawed plans for the inconveniences during Eid travel.

He said, "Due to poor management in the government's plans, passengers are suffering and road accidents are on the rise.

“The blame for this is unfairly being placed on transport owners."

Saiful added that the association will take a strict stance against the charging of excessive fares this Eid.

Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, general secretary of the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association, also presented the organisation's recommendations for a safer Eid journey.

He said, "This year, nearly 15 million people from Dhaka and surrounding districts are expected to travel home for Eid.

“An additional 30 to 35 million people may travel between districts, with 75 percent using roadways, 17 percent waterways, and 8 percent railways."

Mozammel demanded that the salaries and bonuses of garment workers be paid by Mar 24.

He also called for the return trips home to be in phases to prevent travelling on unfit buses that pile extra pressure on the roads.

Citing the organisation's data, Mozammel said that 399 road accidents resulted in 407 deaths and 1,398 injuries during Eid-ul-Fitr trips last year.

Over the past nine years, a total of 2,377 road accidents during Eid-ul-Fitr have caused 2,714 deaths and 7,420 injuries, he added.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFER EID TRAVEL

1. Strict measures must be taken to prevent unfit and rundown vehicles from operating during Eid travel.

2. Motorcycle passengers and riders must wear standard helmets, use sufficient safety gear, and wear vests. Speed limits should be set based on routes, and carrying luggage or bags on highways while riding motorcycles should be prohibited.

3. Strong action is needed to curb the trend of excessive fare collection.

4. To reduce traffic congestion and accidents, non-motorised rickshaws, battery-powered autorickshaws, CNG-run autorickshaws, and three-wheelers, locally known as Nasimon and Karimon, must be removed from national highways at least 10 days before Eid.

5. Additional personnel must be deployed at highway toll plazas that cause artificial traffic congestion to ensure smooth vehicle movement.

6. Instead of checking vehicle documents on the spot, Highway Police, district, and metropolitan traffic police should be instructed to conduct patrol duty at least 10 days before Eid to prevent robbery and mugging. Different intelligence agencies should remain active in stopping these crimes. Alongside police efforts, community policing involving local political leaders should be ensured at risky highway points before and after Eid.

7. Detective police and intelligence agencies must immediately initiate visible operations to prevent passenger harassment, Ogyan party (group that uses chemicals to knock out victims to rob them), Molom party (group applying ointment on victims to facilitate robbery), and black-market ticket sales on roads, railways, and waterways.