Army may supervise launch terminals

The government is considering deployment of special forces including army at Sadarghat launch terminal and other major terminals to help the civil administration restore discipline and ensure safety of marine passengers, sources said.

However, Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain ruled out the possibility of army deployment at this moment.

Sources close to the minister said the issue came up at several high level meetings in the wake of the civil administration's failure to implement inland shipping laws, which led to severe launch disasters recently.

The minister discussed the matter several times with high officials of his ministry and other government high-ups, the sources mentioned.

Top officials of the shipping ministry confirmed the government is thinking of deploying special forces. Even if army is not deployed, some other forces like the special police forces or paramilitary Bangladesh Riffles (BDR) may be stationed at the launch terminals, they added.

The situation at major launch terminals including those at Barisal and Bhola has virtually gone beyond control as various vested and influential quarters operate there, according to reports.

The government failed to implement a number of decisions taken to restore discipline at major launch terminals. The decision to ban 40 unfit launches off the waterways was withdrawn following pressure from the launch owners.