Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB) – Terming the Banani fire a killing incident not any accident, Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Friday promised that stern actions will be taken against those responsible for it, no matter how influential they are.
“It’s not an accident, but murders. No one of those responsible for such a cruel carnage will be spared. Tough actions will be taken against them, no matter how powerful they are,” he said.
Talking to reporters after visiting the fire-hit FR Tower, the minister also said, “The Prime Minister has directed us not to spare anyone responsible for the incident. Our ministry has also decided to take stern actions against them.”
He said a number of probe bodies have been formed to look into the Banani fire incident and punitive actions will be taken against those responsible as per the existing law based on reports of the probe committees.
Rezaul Karim said the FR Tower was built violating rules. “Permission was given only for an 18-storey building, but a 22-story building was constructed illegally.”
He said Rajuk approved the 18-storey FR Tower in 1996. “But, the building owner submitted the copy of a 22-storey building design in 2005. After investigation, it was found they summited an improper design without Rajuk’s approval. The building was constructed violating the (original) design.”
Replying to a question, the minister also said they will take actions if government officials’ involvement is found in illegal construction of the building.
He also assured that their ministry’s probe report will be made public unlike in the past.
Rezaul Karim said many buildings were constructed in the capital illegally without Rajuk’s approval and flouting rules. “I would like to assure the country’s people that we’ll take legal actions against those.”
He said they may cancel the licences of the contractors those who built the buildings illegally apart from filing criminal cases against them. “If necessary, we’ll take steps to remove the illegally made parts of the buildings.”
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tajul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam also visited the spot.
Tajul Islam said they together with Housing and Public Works Ministry and City Corporation will work out necessary actions to stop the recurrence of FR Tower-like incident.
He also said appropriate actions will be taken against those responsible for the illegal and unsafe construction of FR Tower.
At least 25 people were killed and over 70 others injured in the tragic Banani fire incident on Thursday.
Meanwhile, eight of the deceased were identified as Md Rezaul Karim Raju, 40, son of Najmul Hasan of Matlab South upazila of Chandpur; Ahmed Jafor, 59, son of late Helal Uddin of Narayanganj’s Sonargaon; Jebunessa, 30, daughter of Abdul Wahab of Noakhali’s Begumganj upazila; Md Salauddin Mithu, 25, son of Samsuddin of city’s Romna; Nahidul Islam Tushar, 35, son of Md Ishak Ali of Mirzapur upazila in Tangail; Tanjila Mouli, 25, wife of Raihanul Islam of Adomdighi in Bogura; Md Parvez Sajjad, 46, son of late Nazrul Islam Meridha of Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila; and Heros, 35, a citizen of Sri Lanka.
The fire broke out around 12:45 pm on the fifth floor of the 22-storey FR Tower at 12:45 pm on Thursday and 20 firefighting units brought the blaze under control around 4:45pm.
