When apprehension accompanies road journeys

Thereport24.com, Dhaka:

People cannot let go of the panic over being victims of subversive acts when they are travelling to their destinations these days.

Fear has set its grip on travellers and commuters as they fear that they might be attacked on the road during the blockade.

Passengers travelling by long-haul buses mostly have this sense of apprehension because they do not know if they can reach their destinations safely without being hurt or even killed.

On Sunday, Maitree Express, which was travelling to Dhaka from Kolkata, came under attack moments after it left Ishwardi railway station. Apart from Bangladeshi passengers, some Indians also boarded the train.

Unidentified miscreants hurled three bombs at the engine of the train in Fateh Mohammadpur area. The engine caught fire, spreading panic among the passengers.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and doused the flame.

The train returned to the station where officials changed the engine and checked some other equipment. It then again set off for Dhaka.

The blockade has seen ghastly attacks, including bomb blasts and also the crime of arson committed by throwing petrol bombs on moving buses, in different parts of the country.

But panic-stricken people are still going on journeys because they have to.

Ends/thereport24.com/MI/Feb 09, 2015