Condolences Pour in

Call to stand by fire victims

5 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Political parties, socio-cultural organisations, professionals' bodies and individuals expressed profound shock and grief at the loss of 117 lives in the fire at Nimtoli in old Dhaka. The main opposition BNP has announced a two-day doa mahfil programme for the fire victims -- at the party's Naya Paltan office after Asr prayers today and at all district and divisional headquarters tomorrow. Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, in a meeting yesterday, said his party would stand by the fire victims and help them, said a press release. Jamaat-e-Islami held a doa mahfil at Al Falah Auditorium in the city to pray for the salvation of the departed souls. Its chief Motiur Rahman Nizami moderated the programme. In a statement, Chief Whip Abdus Shahid called on the affluent members of society to come forward and assist the government in the rehabilitation of the families affected by the fire. In separate statements, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) expressed deep shock at the loss of huge lives in the blaze. Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Khelafat Majlis held doa mahfils separately to pray for the salvation of the departed souls. They also called on the government to ensure proper treatment of the injured victims and proper rehabilitation of the affected families. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Sammilito Nari Samaj said the disaster points towards the vulnerabilities of the city residents due to unplanned constructions. They also hoped that the authorities would investigate the causes of the blaze and take necessary steps to prevent such accidents in the future. In separate statements, National Alliance of Disabled People's Organisation (NADPO) and Pallima Sangsad also expressed deep shock and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls. The 11-Party took out a mourning procession and held a rally at Muktangan in the city to express sympathy to the families of the fire victims. They blamed unplanned urbanisation, factories in residential areas and faulty transformers for the shocking incident. They also urged the government to provide medical and financial assistance to the affected families.