Pushing people to risk, defying ban

People boarding small launches bound for Meghna estuary routes, risking life. PHOTO: STAR

Plying of small launches, trawlers and engine boats in Bhola-Laxmipur, Mirzakalu-Char Alexander, Daulatkhan-Char Alexander, Daulatkhan-Mozu Chowdhurirhut routes are banned from March 15 to October 15 after several disasters caused by storm claimed numerous lives in the past few years.

But the authorities and law enforcers are virtually helpless in enforcing the ban as a good number of owners of such launches are leaders of ruling and opposition parties, sources said.

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On an average, 3000 to 400 passengers travel in the risky routes every day.

The small launches include M V Sagor Kanya-2, owned by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan; MV Bhabanipur-1, MV Bhabanipur- 2 and MV Bhabanipur- 3, owned by BNP leader and Union Parishad Chairman Golam Azam Polin; MV Shahbazpur, owned by Awami League leader Mahbub Mia; MV King of Alexander, owned by BNP leaders Mahmud Mia and Selim Mia and MV Siddik Khan, owned by another influential BNP leader.

Besides, allegations have it that musclemen of the private launch owners also create obstacles in movement of BIWTC (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation) sea trucks, a safe transport in the routes.

They forcibly occupy jetties of sea trucks at different points and compel passengers to board their illegally operating vessels.

The private small launches are supposed to keep sufficient number buoys and take other safety measures. But most of them ignore those.

Talking to this correspondent, crew of some of the launches admitted that they are plying their vessels illegally.

Abdul Mannan, Manager of A Rahman and Sons, owner of Sagor Kanya-2, was visibly annoyed when asked why he is plying the launch defying the ban and risking life of passengers. "Journalists should not poke their nose in this petty matter", he told this correspondent.

BIWTC officials here, when contacted, said they have requested the administrations and police officials concerned to enforce the ban. But there has been no result, they said.