Eight staffers of Titas suspended for negligence

Eight employees, including four engineers and managers of Titas's Narayanganj zonal office, have been suspended for their negligence over the blast in a mosque of Narayanganj's Talla area.

The explosion claimed at least 27 lives.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd took punitive measures against its officials on Monday and served show-cause notices on them.

The accused will be terminated permanently if their replies are found unsatisfactory, said a senior Titas official.

State minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid asked all state-run gas marketers and distributors the same day to remove illegal gas connections within the next two months.

During a virtual meeting with top gas marketing and distribution companies, he ordered to investigate and take punitive measures against those involved in providing illegal connections.

Mr Hamid also instructed to collect outstanding gas bills from consumers and install electronic volume corrector and prepaid meters for them.

The Narayanganj blast occurred on Friday night when more than 100 people were attending Esha prayers in the mosque.

The accident happened as gas was leaking from a pipeline laid beneath the mosque at that time.

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