Launch disasters and owners\\\' demand

We are taken aback by a news item that the launch owners have been demanding that their vessels be allowed to carry more passengers than the government-set limit during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. The owners claimed that most of their vessels are capable of carrying more passengers than the number approved by the government.

It is true all the passenger carriers, be it launch, bus or aircraft, can carry more passengers than those are meant for; but should that be a plea for overloading? How greedy, shameless and audacious they are! Inquiry reports and witnesses suggest that most, if not all, launch disasters in the past were caused by overloading. To avoid tragic incidents we urge the law enforcers and the appropriate authority not to comply with this strange demand. The  sinking of Pinac-6 is still in our mind.

Abdur Rahman Chaklader

Barisal