A trader was killed in a road accident on the Dhaka–Rajshahi highway in Puthia upazila on Tuesday, triggering protests as locals set fire to two dump trucks.
The deceased was identified as Akram, 60, owner of a tailoring shop in Sardah Thanapara of the district.
A sand-laden dump truck bound for Natore hit him while he was crossing the road and dragged him for several yards, leaving him dead on the spot around 7:00am in front of Biraldah Mazar.
Angered by the incident, locals blocked the highway and set the truck involved in the accident on fire. Another dump truck passing through the highway at the time was also torched.
Some locals vandalised and set fire to mobile phones after finding individuals recording video footage of the incident.
Vehicular movement on the highway remained suspended for some time following the unrest.
Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, said Puthia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Faridul Islam.
Locals demanded a ban on dump truck movement during daytime and installation of speed breakers on the highway.
Rajshahi Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Farhad Hossain said the fire was extinguished with the help of police and local people.
