NEW YORK – New York taxi drivers are still worried about their safety following killing of nine cabbies including an Indian since the beginning of this year.  Many drivers are still wounded in what has now turned out to be the nighttime routine attacks on the cab drivers by their own passengers. Thousands of South Asian immigrants, particularly from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh drive cab through New York City to make their living.

Meanwhile, police have arrested three persons in connection with the killing of Lopez, the latest victim. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has launched an all-out effort to prevent attacks on the cab drivers of the city, and punish the perpetrators. The city has already ordered for installation of bulletproof protective partition between the driver and passenger and surveillance camera in the city cabs. It has also decided to permit the cab drivers to use cell phone in taxi for establishing emergency contact with the police.

Bangladeshi Cabby Dies  

Syed S. A. Zaman, 48, a Bangladeshi cab driver in New York City died of heart attack recently. While driving in Manhattan area, he suddenly felt pain in his chest, and was immediately admitted to hospital where he died shortly after. A member of Bangladesh Yellow Society, a New York-based association of Bangladeshi Yellow Cab drivers, Zaman used to live in Queens. He left behind his wife and a daughter.

Bangladesh Cultural Show

Artistes of the New York-based Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) sang and danced at a packed auditorium of People’s Center in the famous Natural History Museum of New York on May 6 and 7. BIPA represented the Bangladesh community being invited to join the celebrations of Asia-Pacific-American Heritage Month.

Bangladeshi Poet Awarded  

The International Library of Poetry Organizations has awarded Bangladeshi poet and writer M.A. Khaleque for his poem, “This Year’s Summer in New York.” The International Library of Poetry has also included Khaleque’s poem in its Internet collections.