It is murder, not an accident Says Minister Rezaul Karim
Terming the FR Tower fire incident in Banani 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." The minister came up with the assertion while talking to reporters after visiting the fire-hit FR Tower. He 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. The minister also 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 submitted an improper design without Rajuk's approval. The building was constructed violating the (original) design."
He said they may cancel the licenses 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."Four floors of the 22-storey building on Kamal Ataturk Avenue, suffered extensive damaged in the fire that started sometime after 12:00pm on Thursday.
He said they may cancel the licenses 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."Four floors of the 22-storey building on Kamal Ataturk Avenue, suffered extensive damaged in the fire that started sometime after 12:00pm on Thursday.
At least 25 have died and about 70 have been injured in the fire. Despite having many offices of commercial entities, the building did not have adequate fire management system, according to State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman.
Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Md Sazzad Hussain said he saw some fire extinguishers in the building but those were out of service.Real estate company Rupayan erected the 22-floor Faruk Rupayan Tower on a land owned by one "Faruk".
