Three committees will be formed to investigate the overnight fire at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair at the Bangla Academy premises.Fair Committee Member Secretary Shahida Khatun told bdnews24.com that Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad announced formation of the committees at a meeting at the Bangla Academy at noon on Monday .
A General Diary wa filed at Shahbagh Police Station in this regard at around same time Monday, she said.
The minister had told the meeting that an executive committee will be formed to find the motives behind the fire and to investigate those involved.
The second team would ascertain the total loss of the publishing houses from the fire while the third one, a high-level committee, will decide how they would be compensated.
Cultural Affairs Secretary Suraiya Begum, Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan, Members of the Fair Committee and owners of the affected publications attended the meeting.
At least 30 stalls were gutted after a fire that broke out at around 12:50 am and raged through one section of the book fair.
The fire-fighters initially suspected that the fire originated from electric short-circuits. But most of the publishers alleged acts of sabotage. Fire-fighters also considered the allegation, but denied further comments pending proper investigation.
