Krishi market blaze: Victims seek immediate support from government
Traders and salesmen whose shops were gutted in the huge fire in the capital's Mohammadpur Krishi Market are yet to receive any aid.
Having lost their merchandise and other goods, the victims demanded the government immediately provide them support and make makeshift arrangements to resume their business.
They also demanded a thorough investigation into why different markets catch fire in the middle of the night.
The huge blaze broke out at the Mohammadpur Krishi Market around 3:40am Thursday. It took 17 firefighting units nearly six hours to bring the fire under control. However, the smouldering flames and smoke were completely doused around 7:30am yesterday, nearly 28 hours after the fire had started, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence authorities.
The blaze burnt down at least 316 shops, according to the Department of Disaster Management.
Meanwhile, the fire service authorities have formed a five-member committee to probe the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report in 15 working days, said fire service sources.
Trader Maruf Hossain owned two clothing stores at the market. He said he lost clothing products worth about Tk 40 lakh.
"All my hard work went up in smoke," he said, standing before piles of ashes.
He said different government authorities and market committees have been enlisting names of victims, but there have been no immediate aid and relief.
Mizanur Rahman, owner of Asia Garments, had been doing business in the market since its opening in 1997. He said his losses amounted to around Tk 30 lakh.
"How will we manage the capital now?" he said.
Visiting the fire-ravaged market yesterday, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said the prime minister is aware of the fire incident, and that the government will try its best to help the traders.
Razzaque, also an Awami League presidium member, said arrangements will be made so that traders can take bank loans.
Abdur Rahman, relief and rehabilitation officer at the Department of Disaster Management in Dhaka, said they have been enlisting the fire victims.
So far 268 owners and traders, and 569 salesmen have been enlisted.
"The list will be sent to the disaster management ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. They will decide on the relief and financial aid," Rahman added.
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