Another slum fire
Adevastating fire in the Boubazar part of the Korail slum, home to about a couple of thousand inhabitants, has left hundreds of people homeless and helpless. Most of the residents there were either rickshaw pullers or garment workers — economically poor. And as reports have it, they were left with their families that include little children, shell-shocked by their circumstance, having witnessed their homes, belongings and savings, all destroyed.
Some people, including mostly women and children, were seen huddled together in groups just to keep themselves warm amidst the winter chill, while others desperately searched for their loved ones. In such a situation, one must again wonder whether anyone, including the government, cares about the plight of these people at all.
Because of narrow alleys inside the slum, firefighters had to leave their trucks about half a kilometre away, making it difficult for them to battle the flames. Fortunately, however, about 200 locals trained in firefighting had started the processes of dousing the fire even before the firefighters could get there. But how often do we see such fires destroying lives in slums across the country? Yet, because of some unscrupulous rent-seekers with powerful backing mostly from the powerful quarters, the situation never changes. And it is these poor people who are often victims to such misfortunes as well as exploitation by these powerful individuals.
The authorities should immediately look to stop these rent-seekers from abusing the poor living in slums by devising a comprehensive strategy that would protect their interest. Meanwhile, those who have lost everything in the most recent fire must be given immediate relief in terms of shelter and food with help from the civil society and also be rehabilitated.
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