BNP blames govt for tragedy

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Sunday held government responsible for ‘failing to save’ the lives of garment workers trapped under the debris of Rana Plaza.

He made the observation while participating at a human-chain protest programme on Sunday.
“There is a humanitarian crisis because the government failed to take measures after the crack appeared in Rana Plaza. There are hundreds of workers under the rubble who are fighting to stay alive. Hundreds of corpses are buried inside,” the BNP leader said.

Predicting an imminent political crisis if a non-party caretaker government was not installed before election, Mosharraf further accused the government of launching a political crackdown by arresting leaders of opposition parties.

Mosharraf warned of a mass movement to overthrow the government.

The human chain, put up in front of the National Press Club, was jointly organized by the units of BNP and its allies in Motijheel, Paltan, Shahjahanpur, Shahbagh and Ramna.

“We believe more lives could have been saved if the rescue effort was expedited. The government has failed to save the lives of the workers.”

Rana Plaza, a nine-storey building located in Savar’s bus stand crumbled down on Wednesday morning.

Mosharraf claimed, “Sohel Rana a local leader of Jubo League (Awami League’s youth front) used his influence to grab land from people of the Hindu community and erected the nine-storey building without requisite permission. Rana was able to do this with support from the government. ”

About Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir’s comment that collapse was caused as activists of opposition parties shook the building, the BNP leader said,” People in the country and abroad are calling him mentally unstable and insane after hearing his comment.”

Mosharraf urged people to support the black flag procession and countrywide general strike called by BNP and other opposition parties on May 2 to pay respect to the memories of the slain workers.

“The movement will oust the government from power. Only after this government’s collapse peace, stability and security will be returned in the country.”

Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member MK Anwar, taking part at a sit-in demonstration organised by ‘Swadhinota Forum’ in front of National Press club, demanded the ban on the daily Amar Desh be lifted and its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman be released from jail.

“The people of the country are shamed by the statements that were made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister after the Savar tragedy. The workers were forced out of their homes and pushed into this death trap. The government will not get away by giving lame explanations,” he said

“But some of the ministers termed the incident at Savar as murder. I thank them for that.”