I
The whole nation is extremely shocked as at least 67 people were killed in a massive fire that broke out in Chawkbazar, Dhaka.
The fire that originated from cylinder blast had engulfed several multi-storied buildings and transformed the area into a death valley before it was doused. In the vicinity, there were a number of warehouses of different chemical and plastic products. How can warehouses of such combustible materials be there in a heavily congested area? If authorities keep overlooking such dangerously unplanned structures as there are many more around the city, undoubtedly, we are going to experience more accidents and similar 'death valleys' in the future.
Buildings must not be allowed to be used for both residential and commercial purposes. It seems that we have not learnt from previous fire tragedies. Let us not remain silent. We must take initiatives before we pay more costly prices for negligence.
Injured people must be taken care of. They need to be supported emotionally and otherwise so that they can return to their normal lives. Commensurate steps and punitive measures need to be taken to ensure safety in congested areas. What must be ensured at any cost is public awareness. In a densely populated country like Bangladesh, government measures are never enough to control each and every area. The public authorities of each area need to be empowered, and held liable for failure in taking necessary steps.
Every single life deserves a normal death.
Mostafa Al Hossaini
Department of Finance
University of Chittagong
II
The value of nearly everything in the country is witnessing an uptick except for the price of common lives. It is just a number, it seems. Have we even learnt from the past?
The type of tragedy like the Chawkbazar fire is not new in our country. Fires, building collapses and road accidents are very common here as building regulations are lax and dangerous chemicals are often stored in residential areas.
Chawkbazar tragedy is one of the worst catastrophes in the country. The death toll has already risen to at least 67. The memory of Nimtali tragedy has not faded away yet. In that fire in 2010, at least 120 were burnt to death and 150 others were critically injured. We are accustomed with the scenario that after every such incident, the government forms an inquiry committee. They go about investigating while the nation mourns. But after a week or so, everything goes back to normal.
Have we been able to punish those miscreants who are directly or indirectly involved in these man-made disasters? We can only hope that the concerned authorities will soon come to their senses and take the right decisions and actions.
Md. Rasel Rana
Jahangirnagar University
III
The intensity of the fire at Chawkbazar was so high that many dead bodies were burned to ashes. Since the area was very congested, people had no space to move when the fire engulfed the area.
In the old part of Dhaka, many traders illegally store various chemicals inside their houses or rented warehouses in residential areas without permission and safety measures. During the Nimtali incident, the government pledged that storage of chemicals would not be permitted and traders who will engage in such illegal activities would be arrested and tried. But the recent inferno indicates that these activities were still going on.
Many gas cylinders used in cars and houses are exploding quite frequently in the capital and across the country claiming lives of many people.
Government has to come out of the vicious cycle of indifference. Building burn units to treat the patients are not enough. Fire preventive measures need to be enhanced.
Mohammad Zonaed Emran
Mutual Trust Bank Ltd.
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