BNP dismisses N’ganj fire probe as just eyewash

PBC News:  BNP on Monday alleged that the government is carrying out an investigation into the deadly fire incident at Hashem Foods Ltd in Narayanganj as a mere eyewash to save its owner as he belongs to the ruling party.

“We would like to tell the government to take practical steps shunning the eyewash in the name of an investigation,” said BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.

Speaking at a human-chain programme, he also said the government has arrested Hashem Foods owner Abul Hashem in the face of public demand.

The BNP leader warned the government of facing public wraths if Abul Hashem, a ruling party leader, is released from jail or he goes unpunished.

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding punishment of the owner of Hashem Foods and others responsible for the fire that claimed the lives of over 52 people.

The programme was also meant for mounting pressure on the government to ensure adequate compensations for the families of those killed and injured in the blaze and their rehabilitation.

Prince said all those responsible for the factory fire, including the owner, must be brought to justice. “The families of those who died and suffered injuries must be compensated with a justified amount of money. Proper treatment for the injured workers will have to be ensured.”

He also urged the government to take effective steps to ensure a safe working environment for workers in every factory.

The BNP leader said fire incidents are taking place at different factories one after another under the current ‘regime’ for lack of preventive measures and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

He said the factory at Hashem Foods has exposed once again that there is no working environment and security of workers in Bangladesh factories.

“Fifty-two workers died in the Narayangaj factory, but the state and government remained silent. The government should have declared a mourning day in memory of the 52 workers and offered condolences to the victims’ families and adequate compensations to them. But they didn’t do that as they aren’t a worker-friendly government,” Prince said.

He also alleged that the government is not coming forward in aid of the workers and day-labourers who are going through serious ordeals amid the countrywide lockdown.

The BNP leader called upon the government to immediately provide adequate food and cash support to the day-labourers and low-income people to ease their sufferings.