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Initial probe finds sabotage 'evidence'

Textbook warehouse fire doused after 85-hours

Staff Correspondent
The preliminary probe into the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) warehousefire, finally doused early yesterday, found evidence of sabotage, said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.
"The committee did not find anyevidenceof short circuit rather some evidence of sabotage, white powder, was found. So the act of sabotage is coming to the forefront," he told reporters at a press briefing at his Secretariat office.
The enquiry committee formed to investigate the'eause of the fire and to ascertain the extent of the damage submitted its preliminary enquiry report to the education minister yesterday noon.
The fire fighters finally doused the fire around 2:00am yesterday after relentless efforts of over eighty-five hours, said fire brigade sources.
The minister said there must have been some burned wire in the warehouse and the lights would not have come on if the fire was triggered by a short circuit. He said the night guards detected the fire around 6:30am Sunday when they went to switch off the lights.
"The fire began from three points of the warehouse and it is not possible that the fire would break out from three different spots at a time if it was a short circuit," Nahid pointed out.
The probe report mentioned that the powder-like chemical found near the exhaust fan ducts was possibly placed there from outside, he said. Test to identify the white powder-like chemical is goingon.
However, a number of officials and employees at the warehouse on condition of anonymity told The Daily Star that the powder-like substance, recovered last night, might be an Insecticide used to protect the paper from termites.
"We used to apply a powder to protect the paper from termite," said a warehouse employee.
The minister said they have not identified the people behind the so-called arson and it would be revealed, if there were any, in the final report of the enquiry committee. "We do not want to say anything as an investigation is goingon," he said.
Meanwhile, a national monitoring committee, led by the education minister, was formed at a meeting yesterday with a view to monitoring the printing of books, their preservation, supply and distribution amongstudents.
Ihe minister and the state minister for primary and mass education ministry have been made joint-conveners of the committee while the secretaries, additional secretaries, joint secretaries of the education ministry and primary and mass education ministry, joint secretary of home ministry, NCTB chairman are among the members of the committee.
The first meeting of the committee will be held on November 1.
Asked whether the free distribution of books will be hampered, Nahid firmly said whatever happens they are determined to meet the target.
"It is undoubtedly a big challenge. Despite this setback, we will make all-out effort to accomplish our target," he said.
"Students will get their books on time," he said.
Meanwhile, firemen were still at the spot yesterday evening. They said even though the fire was extinguished, they are staying there out of precaution.