Police search for owner, case filed

Rampura police yesterday filed a case against the owner of the two-storey tin structure that collapsed on Wednesday, killing 12 people in the capital's Rampura area.

The accused, Moniruzzaman Chowdhury, is also an activist of Jubo League, youth wing of the ruling Awami League, said locals and sources at police. 

“We are searching for the man,” said Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station. 

“There are some allegations against Moniruzzaman. We are trying find out whether he is accused in any other case,” he added.

At least 12 people, including five women, were killed as the structure, housing around 20 families, collapsed in a marshland at Malibagh Choudhurypara.   

Maj Shakil Newaz, acting director general of Fire Service and Civil Defense, yesterday said they would continue the rescue operation until the Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka decides to end it. 

“We are carrying on the salvage operation even though there is no claim for any more missing person,” he said.  

It could not be known how many people were inside the tin-structure, built in Hajipara Matir Masjid Jheel, when it collapsed.

Shefali Begum, one of the survivors, said her fifth grader son, Saiful Sheikh, died before her in the blink of an eye.  

Shanti Begum, wife of grocer Harun Or Rashid, said her husband had gone to their home to have his lunch when the hell broke loose.

Meanwhile, all bodies were handed over to the relatives yesterday and Dhaka district administration gave Tk 20, 000 to each of the victims' family.

Replying to a query, AKM Rahmatullah, local ruling party lawmaker, said: “Wednesday's collapse was just a mere accident and the rest of other such structures are not risky.” 

Police sources said Moniruzzaman was detained twice along with arms in 2000 and 2005. He also allegedly illegally occupied lands in Rampura area.