SAVAR BUILDING COLLAPSE
Withdraw hartal: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the opposition to withdraw the call for shutdown on May 2 considering the sufferings of people following the collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar.
She made the call while visiting the ruined site of Savar building Monday morning, six days after the collapse of nine-storey Rana Plaza.
The building housing five garment factories, a branch of Brac Bank and a shopping mall collapsed on Wednesday.
The death toll in the disaster reached 381 so far. Till early Monday, 2,437 people were pulled out alive beneath the debris of the building.
The premier drove straight to Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar around 9:30am where she spent nearly 15-minute with the injured people who have been undergoing treatment there.
She consoled the injured and enquired about their well-being.
She reiterated her government's promise to bear the expense of the injured.
She also thanked the doctors and staff of the hospital for their relentless efforts in serving the victims.
Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque, chiefs of three services, inspector general of police and director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence accompanied her during the visit.
Hasina reached the Savar site around 9:30am and observed the rescue operation for some time.
She enquired about the salvage operation during her discussion with Maj Gen Chowdhury Hasan Suhrawardy of the 9th Infantry Division, chief of fire brigade and rescuers.
Maj Gen Suhrawardy and fire brigade director general briefed her about the operation.
State Minister for LGRD Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku and Awami League lawmaker of Savar Murad Jong were with the PM during the visit.