DHAKA: The government will not move away from the ongoing eviction drive against the chemical warehouses in Old Dhaka, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. 

The minister was talking to reporters after emerging from a meeting on programs of March 25, and March 26 at his secretariat office on Sunday (March 3).

Earlier on Saturday, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) taskforce faced resistances from local businessmen when it attempted to remove chemical warehouses and factories from Old Dhaka.

Asked whether the government will be backtracked from removing the chemical warehouses from Chawkbazar, the home boss said “There is no question of going backtrack. There is no opportunity to retrieve from the eviction drive for the sake of public interest as it is the question of lives of many people.”

At least 71 people were killed and many injured in a chemical-fed fire that broke out at Churihatta in Chawkbazar on February 20.

City mayor will give a decision that which one he wants to keep where. We are nationally going through the instructions, Asaduzzaman Khan added.

Mentioning that a policy is being made in this regard, the minister said “The Prime Minister is very serious about the matter. She gave a direction to remove the chemical warehouses from Old Dhaka. So, those are being removed. Those who hinder the drive will realize their mistakes.

The taskforce resumed its drive against chemicals warehouses in Old Dhaka today for the third consecutive day. 

BDST: 1918 HRS, MAR 3, 2019
RS/SMS