Case study two: Khondoker Abu Al Hossain's daughter, is a student of class three at Motijheel Govt. Girls' High School. Her half-yearly examinations start today. But being a resident of a similar building (H-type) of the same colony she cannot concentrate on her studies because government has declared her residence vulnerable too.

Such is the situation of almost 540 residents of 84 allotted flats in the seven buildings of Motijheel AGB colony's Staff Quarters ever since the government has started to identify and single out risky and vulnerable buildings.

Fear and panic has gripped the innocent members of the fourth class employees families, left with no ability to move to other rented abodes. These workers are placed on a pay-scale of Tk.1,800 to 3,000.

"I love my children more than my life but I am so helpless, that I do not have the ability to move out knowing the risk my family is put under," wailed Abdur Rahim a resident of one of the vulnerable buildings.

The Housing and Public Works Department (PWD) has put up individual red-and-black inked signboards against each singled-out building. The notice reads: This building has been abandoned, major accidents likely to occur at anytime. Living in this building is risky. People are requested not to use the road besides this building.

Fear drives these residents to spend most of the time out of their homes."We are ready to move out of this hellhole at anytime but we must be provided with alternatives," said Abul Khair Bablu.

The marked buildings are B-33, B-34, B-35, B-36, B-84, B-85 and B-97. These buildings were constructed in 1952, and initially allotted to sweepers and other minor government employees. They were later allocated to the fourth class employees.

PWD officials said these buildings were constructed with sub-standard material and thus turned risky for living.

"There are no reinforced cement concrete (RCC) pillars in theses building and these three-storey structures are made up of only bricks," said Reazul Haq Mullah, PWD employee of the Motijeel local office.

On finding that the buildings were risky, after the initial survey, the PWD sent out notices to all residents requesting them to vacate the premises and they had to put up the signboards because these residents did not respond to even the second notice.

With the signboards being put up, officials of the PWD claim that their job is done, but have not taken any responsibility in relocating these innocent dwellers.

When contacted the Minister for Housing and Public Works Mirza Abbas said: "If anyone wants to commit suicide what can I do? We gave them prior notice to leave the quarters then put up signboards and yet if they do not leave then I can do nothing to help them."

They (the authorities) made us live in such a building that can collapse anytime. The surroundings of these building are also risky but we are living inside that building with our family," said Habibur Rahman, another resident.

All residents said their lives have virtually become a living hell since the signboards were put up on April 20.

"Our homes have now become live graves, and the building I live in has slightly tilted and can collapse at any time," said Motur Rahman another resident.

But the Housing Minister said that the ministry is not in a position to relocate these residents immediately. "Ninety percent of government employees have not yet been provided with quarters and these residents could be included in the same list," Abbas said.

He however, said that the construction of six new quarters in this colony is on the cards and when completed these residents will be given priority.

But dwellers of these building said that residents of B-84 in the same colony were evicted with a promise of allotments in a new building eight years ago. The promise is yet to see the light of day.