2 launches fined for not having life-saving equipment

MANIKGANJ: A mobile court here Friday fined two launches plying on Paturia-Daulatdia route Tk 2,000 as they had no life-saving and fire-extinguishing equipment.

The mobile court of the district administration and Shipping Department, led by Magistrate M Saiful Hasan, slapped the ban on ‘MV Ananya Express’ and ‘MV Tumpa Express’ at noon, according to a news agency.

Magistrate Saiful Hasan of the Shipping Department said they conducted the drive to see whether the river vessels have the necessary equipment and whether they were carrying excessive passengers.

During the drive, they inspected eight launches, he said, adding that the two were fined for not having the life-saving and fire-safety equipment.

Additional district magistrate M Rajibul Islam, Shibalay upazila nirbahi officer Galiv Khan and chief instructor of the Shipping Department M Shafiqur Rahman were present during the mobile court drive.