Probe into arson attack on RMG factory demanded

Owners of the Standard Group demanded a high-powered committee to identify the culprits who were behind the latest arson attack that cost at least Tk 12 billion (1,200 crore) to the country's leading apparel maker.
The arson attack was launched on an apparel factory of the Standard Group at Konabari in Gazipur Friday.
Terming the fire incident an act of sabotage, the factory management raised five questions to solve the mystery behind the arson attack.
The questions are: Who attacked the main factory gate after 10:30pm Thursday? Who instigated the workers on a loudspeaker to launch the attack? Who barred the firefighters from entering the factory compound? Who torched the factories pouring petrol/diesel at key points on each floor of the nine-storey building? And who will take responsibility of the loan money of Tk 4.0 billion that the group collected from banks against letters of credit (L/Cs)?
"Reasons and motives behind the arson attack lie in answers to the questions. It's my cordial request to the government, law enforcement agencies and intelligence department to help mete out exemplary punishment to the conspirators," Managing Director of Standard Group Engineer Mosharraf Hossain told the reporters.
He was speaking at a crowded press conference at the headquarters of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Saturday afternoon.
Describing the fire incident he said they shut production almost at all the units there at 8:00pm Thursday last.
"Only the Washing Unit, where nearly 250 workers were engaged, was open. A group of miscreants numbering 70/80 forcibly entered the factory compound at about 10:30 pm and a team of around 30 industrial policemen were locked in clashes inside to protect the group," he said, adding that at the same time they announced leave for the washing unit workers considering the situation.
"The well-compliant company has followed all of the government laws. I always provide much better facilities to my workers and employees than the laws allow. But what did I get in return?" he said and burst into tears.
"I became weak, sick and helpless. I don't know how I can pay wages to my workers as I've nothing remaining. I want justice," he said.
The Standard Group is one of the country's top five apparel groups in terms of exports and employment generation in the readymade garment (RMG) sector. It annually exports apparel products worth US$ 300 million and employed nearly 19,000 workers.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam was very critical of the role of law enforcement agencies, saying that the factories would disappear one after another, if the security and intelligence agencies fail to protect the sector from conspirators.    
"We want to see the culprits in fetters like we saw in the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles, now renamed Border Guards Bangladesh) mutiny trial," he said.
Terming Standard Group a role model in the country's apparel sector, he said international and local conspiracy were going on to destroy the US$ 21.0 billion sector and the arson attack might be part of that.
He said the main aim of the conspirators was to break the backbone of the country's economy.
"We urge all, including the government, political parties and the civil society to identify and take action against those who are plotting against the sector. If needed, enact a new law to punish the criminals destroying the economy," he said.
Answering a question, the BGMEA chief said the factory authority was going to file a case with the local police station. But he did not give anything in details about the case.
"Our law enforcement agencies completely failed to protect our factories. We demand justice and make public the identity of the plotters," former BGMEA president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said.
He said the garment makers became hopeless in such a situation. "It's a well-planned sabotage and it should be prevented immediately for the sake of the sector," he added.
Former BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy expressed his surprise, saying that the plotters instigated the workers by using the loudspeaker of the mosque that was built by the Standard Group owner.
The apparel makers also demanded speedy progress in disposal of all the arson attack-related cases now pending with various courts to bring an end to the destructive activities.