Utilities of 21 houses snapped in old Dhaka

The taskforce against chemical warehouse in old Dhaka cut off the utilities of 21 houses on Thursday, the first day of its drive after fire at Chawk Bazar killed 69 people and left dozens injured on February 20.
The taskforce in two separate teams – one at Shahid Nagar and another at Islambagh – conducted a separate drive and electricity, gas and water supply lines of 21 houses were snapped.
The taskforce also asked the house owners to remove all the chemical materials by Saturday or face the penalty. 
Upon hearing the news of drive, the businessmen and house owners locked the warehouses at Islambagh and went into hiding. 
In their absence, the taskforce cut off the utilities.
Local people, however, complained that the taskforce stormed only into the houses and business units owned by Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters, though almost all houses of the area possessed chemical warehouse. Local businessmen and house owners criticised the taskforce as the government started drive before the relocation project was ready.
Businessman Jabed Hasan said that relocation of residence was easy instead of relocation of chemical as most of the houses were rented to businessmen.
Dhaka South City Corporation chief executive officer Mostafizur Rahman, chief waste management officer Air Commodore Md Zahid Hasan, chief health officer Brigadier General Md Sharif Ahmed, officials of other agencies were present during the drives.
On Monday, Dhaka South City mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon declared to start the drive against the chemical warehouses in old Dhaka.
Chemical warehouses are blamed for two deadly fire incidents within nine years, which killed around 200 people and injured scores.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net