Sitakunda fire exposes fragile state system

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda has exposed a very fragile state system in Bangladesh.

“No security measures were taken there. I am terrified to think a country that has been said to be a modern one like Singapore, has no minimum security of human life. This government is only making money indulging in stealing in the name of development,” he said.

The BNP leader was talking to reporters at the local press club in the district.

He said there were insufficient security measures in the container depot. “There’re no safety measures to prevent fire or any other accidents.”

Fakhrul also said the government has even failed to ensure proper treatment for the injured. “The Awami League government has completely failed to build a modern container depot which is really needed for the development of the country.”

 A devastating fire that broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday night killed at least 49 people and injured more than 300 others.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued from BNP’s central office in the capital, Fakhrul expressed deep shock and sorrow over the huge loss of lives in the fire.

He said disasters like fires and different accidents are increasing day by day due to the limitless failure of the ‘illegitimate’ government.

“This government has no accountability to people. So no matter how many accidents happen, no matter how many fatalities occur, they keep their eyes closed. People’s lives have no value to them,” the BNP leader said.