Highlights:
- Nine graves have been dug side by side in Mongla municipal cemetery for members of the same family over Bagerhat Road Tragedy.
- The victims died in the tragic road accident in Rampal, Bagerhat.
- The cemetery caretaker said he had never dug so many graves for one family in 17 years.
Nine Graves Prepared for One Family
In a heartbreaking scene in Mongla, Bagerhat, nine graves have been dug side by side in a corner of the municipal cemetery. The tragic part is that all nine graves are for members of the same family who died in the devastating road accident in Rampal.
The graves were prepared for BNP leader Abdur Razzak and several of his family members who lost their lives in the crash. The burial will take place after the janaza following Friday’s Juma prayers.
Gravedigger Shares Emotional Experience
Mujibur Fakir, the caretaker and gravedigger of the Mongla cemetery, said the experience was extremely painful for him.
He said:
“১৭ বছর ধরে কবরস্থানের দায়িত্ব পালন করছি। কিন্তু কখনও এক সঙ্গে একই পরিবারের এত সদস্যের জন্য কবর খুঁড়তে হয়নি। পাশাপাশি ৯টি কবর খুঁড়তে গিয়ে হাত কাঁপছিল। খুব কষ্ট লাগছিল।”
Translation: “I have been working at this cemetery for 17 years. But I have never had to dig graves for so many members of the same family at once. While digging nine graves side by side, my hands were shaking. It was very painful.”
He added that the graves were dug together with the family’s consent, so that the relatives could rest forever in the same place.
Bodies Arrive Late at Night
When the bodies of the victims arrived in Sheolabunia, Mongla around 12:30 AM on Friday, the entire area fell into silence. Hundreds of people rushed to the area to see the victims for the last time. The surroundings were filled with grief, crying and mourning.
Bodies Kept in Different Places
The bodies of four women from the family were kept inside Abdur Razzak’s house, while the remaining five bodies were placed at the Upazila Parishad premises.
To prepare for the funeral, nine stretchers were brought from nine nearby mosques. After the ritual washing, the bodies were placed one by one on the stretchers.
Family Member Speaks About the Tragedy
The younger brother of Abdur Razzak, Md. Sajjad Sardar, shared his grief.
He said:
“রাজ্জাক ভাই ছেলের বিয়ে দিয়ে নতুন বউ ঘরে তুলবেন এই আনন্দ নিয়ে সবাই ছিলাম। কিন্তু সেই আনন্দের বিয়েই আজ পুরো পরিবারকে শেষ করে দিল।”
Translation: “We were all happy because Razzak brother had just married off his son and was bringing a new bride home. But that joyful wedding has now destroyed the entire family.”
Burial After Friday Prayers
After Friday’s Juma prayers, the janaza will be held at the Mongla Upazila Parishad premises. Following the funeral prayers, Abdur Razzak and eight members of his family will be buried in the nine graves prepared side by side at Mongla municipal cemetery.
Background of the Tragic Accident
The tragedy happened shortly after a wedding. On Wednesday night, Sabbir, the younger son of Abdur Razzak and Ahadur Rahman, married Marzia Akter (Mitu), daughter of Abdus Salam Morol from Naksa village in Koyra, Khulna.
After the wedding ceremony, the bride, groom and several family members were returning home by microbus.
On the way, near Belai Bridge in Rampal, the microbus collided head-on with a bus coming from the opposite direction. The devastating crash killed 14 people, including the microbus driver.
Source: Dhaka Post
