Launch capsize in Buriganga: master of Mayur-2 arrested

Rab today arrested the master of Mayur-2 launch that hit and sank another vessel in Burigang River on June 29, killing at least 34 persons.

Abul Bashar Molla (65) was arrested from a house in South Keraniganj area around 1:00am, Sujoy Sarker, assistant director of Rab's Legal and Media wing, told The Daily Star.

Bashar was one of the seven persons charged with negligence -- causing the deaths -- in a case filed by River Police with South Keraniganj Police Station following the launch capsize. 

According to River Police, Bashar was in the launch but sukani (launch staff) Nasir Mridha was steering the vessel when it hit another launch, Morning Bird, on that day.

Most of the 34 victims, who drowned in the river, were from Munshiganj district.

Earlier on July 9, River Police arrested Mayur-2 owner and prime accused Mosaddek Hanif Swad from Dhaka.

Five other accused -- master Jakir Hossain, 54; engine driver Shipon Hawlader, 45; driver Shakil Hasan, 28; sukani (launch staff) Nasir Mridha, 40; and Ridoy, 24 -- are still on the run.