BNP on Saturday demanded a fair and neutral investigation into Friday's fire at a slum in the city's Mirpur-7 area as such incidents are on the rise, reports UNB.
Talking to reporters after visiting the fire-ravaged slum, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged the government to rehabilitate the victims and provide them with compensation.
"Fire incidents at city slums have marked a rise these days, hitting the destitute hard. So, a neutral probe body needs to be formed to look into the matter," he said.
The BNP leader also said stern punitive actions must be taken if any body's involvement in the fire incident is found.
He said about 30,000 families lost all their belongings in Friday night's fire at the Mirpur slum.
"The government must give them compensation and take steps for their rehabilitation."
Fakhrul went to the slum around 12:30pm and talked to the victims.
He urged the fire victims to have patience, and assured them of providing them with financial assistance from their party.
Earlier in the day, the government formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the slum fire.
The massive fire that broke out at the slum on Friday evening was doused by firefighters early Saturday, after six hours of their hectic efforts.
Meanwhile, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday urged the government and socio-cultural organisations to come forward in aid of the victims of the fire incident in the Mirpur slum.
"Thousands of people are living under the open sky without food, shelter and clothes in a dengue-hit city following the fire. I call upon the government and the social organisations to immediately stand by them," he said.
Dr Kamal, also the convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, came up with the remarks while visiting the fire-ravaged slum.
He voiced deep concern over the repeated fire incidents at different slums. "How many more times do we need to watch one fire incident after another? When will people have the right to live safely?"
Dr Kamal talked to the fire victims and consoled them. "I'm extremely shocked. I pray to Allah to give them the patience to withstand the pain and sufferings."
Party general secretary Dr Reza Kibria assured the victims that their party will stand by them.
He said their party's a team, led by its presidium member AMSA Amin, will look after the fire victims.
Party executive presidents Dr Abu Sayeed, Subrata Chowdhury, presidium members Mokabbir Khan MP, Jaglul Haider Afrik, AMSA Amin, Advocate Mohsin Khan and joint general secretary Amin Ahmed Afsari were, among others, present.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
