Nothing tangible is being done about investigations into the explosion at the Tampaco factory in Gazipur, nor anything about compensating the victims.
The police reportedly can’t even locate the factory owner’s address. Yet the owner, former member of parliament Makbul Hossain, is pulling strings from behind the scene. It is evident that despite all the big talk after the Tazreen and Rana Plaza accidents, the industries ministry remains the same as before.
Forty-two persons died in the last month’s incident, 31 of whom were workers and employees of the factory. At least 40 were injured. The owner is absconding. The factory authorities have taken no steps to compensate the victims or their families and have done nothing to provide the injured workers with medical treatment.
Prothom Alo on Wednesday reported that the district administration has claimed to have provided financial assistance to the families of 31 of the 42 persons killed in the accident and seven of the injured.
But why is the factory owner being spared? Senior officials of the factory and the contractors clearing the debris left from the accident are in communication with the owner, yet the police are unable to contact him.
The tenure of the factory building ended four years ago and the gas connection was faulty. It is clear that these hapless people died due to the owner’s negligence. Investigations are progressing poorly. The fire service was supposed to give its report in 10 days, but has failed to do so. No one knows what the industries ministry is doing about its investigations. Inquiry reports are essential to determine the cause of the accident and to identify those responsible for the deaths.
After the Rana Plaza collapse, the industries ministry said that all factories would undergo regular inspection to ensure the security of these establishments. But what is the use of having inspections if the faults only come to light after the accidents? And how long will the police remain unable to nab the culprits?
Source: New Age
