ZCZC
BSS-08
REZAUL-BANANI-FIRE
SM Rezaul terms deaths Banani fire victims as murder
DHAKA, March 29, 2019 (BSS) – Public Works and Housing Minister SM Rezaul
Karim today termed the deaths of Banani FR Tower fire victims ‘murders’ as
scores of innocent people were killed due to negligence of a section of
fraudulent people.
“We clearly want to say that those who died in the fire incident were not
the victims of any accident, rather they were murdered,” the minister told
reporters after visiting the fire-hit FR Tower located in city’s Banani area
this morning.
Owners of buildings must ensure security, the minister said, adding, “We
will take stern actions against RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), City
Corporation and owners of building whoever responsible for the fire incident.
If they are found guilty in probe, a criminal case will be filed against
them, the minister warned.
“Housing and Public Works Ministry, City Corporation and other ministries
are investing the fire incident, he said adding, “We will make the report
public. No reports will be concealed.”
Rezaul said FR Tower had an approval of 18 storied in 1996 while in 2007
they submitted an application to RAJUK for building 23-storied building, but
there was no document regarding the approval of RAJUK.
He informed that the ministry has formed a 6-member fact finding committee
on Banani FR Tower fire and ordered to submit its report within 10 working
days. RAJUK also formed a fact finding committee and they will submit their
report within three working days.
At least 25 people were killed and around 73 others injured yesterday as a
devastating fire tore through the 22-storey FR Tower in the capital’s Banani
area.
The incident took place a little over a month after a fire killed at least
70 people in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area.
BSS/KAK/RY/1455 hrs