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Coco-4 Launch Capsize

Resignation of shipping minister, BIWTA boss demanded

Setting up of four naval courts recommended

Staff Correspondent
Speakers at a press conference yesterday demanded resignation of the shipping minister, chairman of BIWTA and director general of the Department of Shipping (DOS) for neglecting their respective duties before and after Coco-4 launch capsized on Friday near Nazirpur launch terminal in Bhola.
The DOS officials gave fitness certificate to the launch although it was designed defectively, the BIWTA officials did not deploy sufficient number of police and magistrates to monitor whether any launch carries extra passengers and the minister did not reach the spot instantly and stayed there only 10 minutes during the rescue operation, they alleged.
The speakers said all of them overlooked their duties.
So, they should quit their respective posts after claiming all the responsibilities for the incident.
The placed the demand at the press conference on 'Cause of launch accident at Nazirpur in Bhola and its prevention’ jointly organised by Nirapod Naupath Bastabayan Jote and Coast Trust at the National Press Club in the city.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, deputy director of Coast Trust, alleged that a syndicate has sprouted centring launch business owing by political leaders. They obtain fitness certificates for launches by pursuing BITWA officials despite faulty designs.
Later, those faulty designed launches capsize or drown in water claiming lives of people, he added.
Rezaul recommended that the government privatise the certification and monitoring system to contain corruption in this sector.
“Salvage vessels MV Hamza and MV Rustam are trying together to rescue the sunken launch. But the two vessels have the operational capacity to pull only 110 tons while the weight of the capsized launch is more than 500 tons. So, the rescue salvage vessels will have to face tremendous difficulties," he added.
He criticised the government for not purchasing a crane, although the process to buy a crane started in 2005,
Reading out a written statement, Atiqul Islam Chowdhury, national coordinator of Nirapod Naupath Bastabayan Jote, placed a set of recommendations to ensure safe waterway journey across the country.
The recommendations Include stern action against
the authorities if any launch carries excessive passengers, identification of vulnerable launches and giving deadline for relinquishing them, establishment of four naval courts in Chandpur, Barisal, Patuakhali and Khulna, amendment to Inland Shipping Ordinance 1976, introduction of loan system for making new launches, arrangement of life insurance for passengers and ensuring life jackets for passengers during travelling.
After the press conference, survivors Zakir Hossain, Sohag and Akhi described the tragic scenario of the accident and recollected how they saved their lives.
Sanak Kumar Bhoumik, deputy director of Coast Trust, Md Sahabuddln, chief of rescue team of Coast Trust also spoke.