In Shariatpur, a newborn died after a local ambulance syndicate allegedly blocked a vehicle for 40 minutes, preventing the baby from being taken to Dhaka for urgent treatment. The child’s family repeatedly pleaded with the syndicate, but the ambulance was not allowed to pass. Police say they are investigating the incident.
The Incident at Shariatpur Sadar
The tragedy happened on Thursday night (14 August) in Shariatpur Sadar. The newborn’s family had arranged an ambulance from Dhaka for emergency transfer after doctors recommended advanced treatment.
According to police and family sources, Ruma Begum, wife of Nur Hossain Sardar from Koneshwar in Damudya upazila, gave birth to a baby boy via C-section at New Metro Clinic. The baby was struggling with breathing and cold-related complications.
Arranging the Ambulance to Dhaka
Doctors advised immediate transfer to Dhaka. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a local microbus driver, hired Dhaka-based ambulance driver Mohammad Mosharaf Miah for 5,000 taka.
In the evening, as the ambulance started toward Dhaka, local drivers Sabuj Dewan and Abu Taher Dewan stopped the vehicle. They claimed that only ambulances from their syndicate were allowed to operate on that route.
Bangla: “আমাদের সিন্ডিকেটের গাড়ি ছাড়া অন্য কোনো অ্যাম্বুল্যান্স এই রুটে যেতে পারবে না।”
Translation: “No ambulance other than those in our syndicate can travel on this route.”
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Confrontation and Delay
The accused allegedly grabbed Mosharaf’s collar, pulled him from the driver’s seat, took the keys, and physically assaulted him.
During this time, the baby’s mother, grandparents, and other relatives pleaded for the ambulance to be released. Their requests were ignored.
Bangla: “আমরা বারবার অনুরোধ করলেও তারা গাড়ি ছাড়েনি।”
Translation: “Even though we repeatedly begged, they did not let the ambulance go.”
After around 40 minutes, the newborn died inside the vehicle. This sparked tension in the area until police arrived. The accused reportedly fled immediately.
Family’s Grief and Accusations
The newborn’s grandmother, Shefali Begum, broke down in tears.
Bangla: “সময়মতো ঢাকায় নিতে পারলে আমার নাতিটা বেঁচে যেত। ওরা আমার নাতির মুখ থেকে অক্সিজেন খুলে দিয়েছে। ওদের কারণে আমার নাতি মরেছে, আমি বিচার চাই।”
Translation: “If we could have taken him to Dhaka in time, my grandson would have lived. They removed his oxygen mask. My grandson died because of them, and I want justice.”
Relative Ranu Akter also spoke of the incident.
Bangla: “আমরা ঢাকার একটি অ্যাম্বুল্যান্সে ৫ হাজার টাকায় ভাড়া করেছি। সবুজ দেওয়ান ও আবু তাহের দেওয়ানসহ কয়েকজন আমাদের ৪০ মিনিট আটকে রাখে। ওরা আমাদের কোনো কথা শোনেনি। জোর করে চাবি নিয়ে গাড়ি আটকে রেখেছে। আমাদের শিশুটি ওদের কারণে মারা গেছে।”
Translation: “We rented a Dhaka ambulance for 5,000 taka. Sabuj Dewan, Abu Taher Dewan, and others stopped us for 40 minutes. They ignored our pleas, took the keys, and blocked the vehicle. Our baby died because of them.”
Driver’s Statement
Ambulance driver Mohammad Mosharaf Miah described his ordeal.
Bangla: “আমি ঢাকায় ফিরতি ট্রিপে ৫ হাজার টাকায় যাওয়ার জন্য রাজি হয়েছিলাম। কিন্তু স্থানীয় কয়েকজন এসে আমাকে গাড়ি থেকে নামিয়ে চাবি নিয়ে নেয়। আমি বলেছিলাম আপনারা চাইলে নিজেরাই নিয়ে যান, কিন্তু রোগীর স্বজনরা আমাকে যেতে বলেছিল। ওরা আমাকে ছাড়েনি, শারীরিকভাবে লাঞ্ছিত করেছে। আর এসময় বাচ্চাটি মারা যায়।”
Translation: “I agreed to take the return trip to Dhaka for 5,000 taka. But some locals pulled me from the vehicle and took the keys. I told them they could drive themselves if they wanted, but the family wanted me to go. They didn’t let me go, assaulted me, and during that time, the baby died.”
Police Investigation
Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Helal Uddin confirmed the delay and the baby’s death.
Bangla: “ফিরতি গাড়িতে না গিয়ে তাদের অ্যাম্বুল্যান্স ব্যবহার করতে হবে। এ নিয়ে কথা কাটাকাটি হলে ঢাকার অ্যাম্বুল্যান্সটির যাত্রা প্রায় ৩০ থেকে ৪০ মিনিট বিলম্বিত হয়। এসময় নবজাতকটির মৃত্যু হয়।”
Translation: “They insisted that their own ambulances be used instead of the returning vehicle. This argument delayed the Dhaka ambulance’s departure by 30 to 40 minutes. During that time, the newborn died.”
He added that the family has not yet filed a complaint. Police will take legal action if a complaint is lodged or evidence shows syndicate involvement. They are also investigating on their own initiative.
Source: Kaler Kantho
