Jamaat leaders fall into river as wooden bridge collapses in Dimla; MP unhurt
Md Kamruzzaman, Nilphamari
Several local leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami fell into the Nautara River when a makeshift wooden bridge collapsed during an inspection in Dimla upazila, Nilphamari, on Wednesday morning.
The Member of Parliament for the Nilphamari-1 (Domar-Dimla) constituency and District Jamaat Ameer, Maulana Principal Abdus Sattar, who was leading the visit, escaped unhurt as the section he was standing on remained intact. Three people, including the MP's bodyguard Abdul Mannan, sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The accident took place around 11:30 AM at Natabari village in Nautara Union. Local residents had recently constructed the wooden bridge with their own funds to ease public suffering caused by the absence of a permanent structure over the Nautara River.
According to Dimla Upazila Jamaat Secretary Kazi Rukunuzzaman Bakul, a rear portion of the bridge suddenly gave way under the weight of a large gathering of supporters. Among those who fell into the water were Dimla Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Mujibur Rahman, Nayeb-e-Ameer Kazi Habibur Rahman, Secretary Kazi Rukunuzzaman Bakul, and Dimla Sadar Union Ameer Nur Mubasher.
Confirming the incident, MP Maulana Abdus Sattar said, the temporary structure was inherently risky. He assured locals that he would discuss the matter with relevant authorities to ensure the construction of a permanent, government-funded bridge over the river at the earliest.
