'It's murder, not an accident'
The families of 17 people killed in a boiler explosion on April 19 were given Tk 50,000 each yesterday.
Three injured in the blast were also given Tk 50,000 each at a programme held at the deputy commissioner's office where Mujibul Haque, state minister for labour and employment, was present.
Jatiya Shramik Kalyan Foundation organised the programme.
"The boiler explosion that killed 17 workers was not a simple accident. It's murder," said Shirin Akhter, a lawmaker as well as labour rights activist.
This disaster was similar to the Rana Plaza tragedy, she added.
“I am sorry to sound like that, but it's true based on a report prepared by the deputy commissioner's office,” she observed.
She also expressed her disappointment as Subal Ghosh, owner of the rice mill and the prime accused of the deadly blast, was still at large.
The boiler of the rice mill was faulty, said Shirin quoting the report.
The DC office had earlier formed a six-member probe committee and the investigation body submitted its report on May 3.
The report has already been submitted to the ministries concerned, said DC Mir Khairul Alam who moderated the programme.
The state minister in his speech urged the mill operators to consider the workers' safety first.
The minister said he would urge the industries minister to check all the boilers across the country one by one to prevent such disasters in future.
Iqbalur Rahim, lawmaker from Dinajpur and whip of Jatiya Sangsad, also attended the programme.
Mikail Shipar, secretary to the labour ministry, said every boiler would be checked in Dinajpur within six months.
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