Sujan blames govt officials' negligence for Chawkbazar fire

FE Report

Shusashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) cited on Saturday government officials' negligence as the reason behind Chawkbazar fire that claimed 71 lives last month.

According to Sujan, such a disaster could have been avoided if there were regular follow-ups after the Nimtali tragedy.

It suggested a panel be formed to find out why the 17-point recommendation is still to be implemented even after nine years into Nimtali tragedy.

Had the advice been followed, it would have diminished the possibility of Chawkbazar incident.

The observations came at a roundtable titled 'Chawkbazar Tragedy and Follow-up' organised by the civil society platform at the National Press Club.

Sujan secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder presided over the programme where Sujan executive members Syed Abul Maksud and Musbah Alim and its national committee member Prof Robayet Ferdous spoke.

City planner architect Iqbal Habib and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry standing committee chairman on industries and chemicals Md Belayet Hossain also spoke.

Mr Majumder said failure to make the authorities concerned answerable is the major reason behind the incidents like Nimtali and Chawkbazar.

"Besides, we all are responsible for such disaster-government, civil society and media," he added.

If parliamentary committees did routine check on relocation of chemical warehouses after Nimtali tragedy, Mr Majumder said, the latest incident might not have happened.

Meanwhile, Mr Habib said the state could not mete out punishment for those liable for fire incidents at Nimtali and Chawkbazar.

Such lack of accountability paves the way for similar incidents again, he observed.

Mr Habib exclaimed with surprise how illegal chemical and perfume warehouses in old town have been doing business on the 'tip of the nose' of city corporation and explosives department.

Mr Maksud said shutting the warehouses down immediately after a fire incident would not resolve or lessen the risk of fire outbreaks there.

To avoid such tragedies, he added, the government's willingness is a must to ensure accountability of different state bodies like Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and city corporation.

[email protected]