Smash-and-grab looting take place through miking

Before setting fire at Gazi tyres factory in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj, people marched through a mass procession at the place after an announcement was made through miking. Later attacks were carried out and looting also took place.

It is learnt that Golam Dastgir Gazi was arrested from a house in Shantinagar area of the capital early on Sunday. When this news spread in Rupganj upazila, tension was created there from the morning . Around noon, people gathered near the factory with announcements made through miking. After the announcement, hundreds of people gathered in front of the factory and started looting. The looting took place throughout the day. Later a group of miscreants set fire to a building inside the factory around 9 pm.

Attack by outsiders
It is learnt that the first time the factory was attacked was on August 5, after the fall of Awami League government. On August 25, the attack took place for the second time. Locals were very little involved in this attack. Most were mostly outsiders.

Regarding the incident a person named Awal Hossain said that on the August 5, for the first time, people from various places around the area entered the factory with a joyous procession. Then a rumor spread that if there was an explosion in the factory, the surrounding area of two kilometers would be blown away. Hearing this, I went to the east side of the village.

He added that, when the news of Gazi’s arrest was revealed on Sunday, it was announced through miking that there would be a joyous procession at noon. In the afternoon the procession entered the factory. Around nine o’clock we got the news of the fire. He also said that the locals are rarely involved in this. There were more tenants and outsiders. He claimed that people from around 20 thana's had come.

Gazi Tyre Executive Director (Administration) Brigadier General Muhammad Kamruzzaman said that on August 5, the attackers found the weakness of our security system and attacked again on August 25.Many people may not have been able to get down with the combustible materials and heavy goods from the building. Moreover, even though the fire service was informed about the fire, their arrival was delayed due to the traffic jam at Rupsi intersection.

Mannan, a fire service official, said that they heard sound of explosion several times while extinguishing the fire. It is also feared that some parts of the roof of the fourth and fifth floors have collapsed.

Locals did not resist the attack
Locals informed that no one came forward to prevent the attack or looting. They said that the people of the area were not given the opportunity to work even though they bought the land from the locals at the price of water. People were very angry with Golam Dastgir Gazi, the former textile and jute minister of the Awami League government, who owned the factory.

A 60 plus years old man named MD Awal Hossain said on Wednesday, “I had a house on one kani (30 percent) of land in front of the pond on the east-south side of the factory. To buy this land, MP Gazi sent only Tk 12 lakh. I had no option by selling it. They forced me to take money with my fingerprints. He further added that, if I had not sold it then, I could have taken possession today.

Md. Mubarak from Khadun village was seen erecting a barbed wire fence on a plot of land. When asked, he said, Gazi was a member of the government, so I could not do anything. Now there is no such government. So I am taking back place.

Many other people said the same thing. A signboard was seen on a plot of land to the north-east of the factory. On calling the number on the signboard, a person named Shah Alam said that if the Gazi authorities pay the proper price for this land, they will leave this place, and if not, they will take possession.

Formation of investigation committee
Meanwhile, an 8 member committee has been formed to investigate the incident of the factory fire. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 10 days. Narayanganj Additional District Magistrate Hamidur Rahman has been made the head of the committee. He said that the report will be submitted at the scheduled time.

The fire is under control yet severe heat is still there
Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense Anwarul Haque informed that the fire was brought under complete control on Wednesday noon. But the heat is still there. He also said that the building is in extremely dangerous condition.

He further added that due to the fragile condition of the building, the rescue operation could not be started by going inside completely. There is a risk of re-ignition due to internal heat. The building is bent.

Confusion over number of missing
Meanwhile, the fire service or any other organization could not tell how many people died in the factory fire so far. Even the exact number of missing remains unclear.

On Monday, the day after the incident, in view of the demands of the relatives, the fire service said that at least 187 people are missing. But they did not make any list. However, a list of the missing was prepared by one Mahima Mir Ripa. She claims to be a volunteer. According to the revised list, 132 people are still missing.

Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ahsan Mahmud Russell said, Rupganj police station has been given the responsibility of preparing the list. The list will be prepared and handed over to the committee formed to investigate the incident.

The urge for survival
A local named Shahin Ahmed said, they came and saw that all the shutters of the building were closed and someone had closed the gate of the stairs as well. There was fire inside. But there was no ladder with the fire service. When a local named Aziz threw a rope, about 14 people managed to get out from the 5th floor.

A young man named Rahat Bhuiyan said that the fire service arrived at the spot around 11:30 pm. The trapped people screamed for help from 1 am to 1:30 am. Many also told their location by turning on the light of the mobile phone. But no one could help them. After two o’clock no one was seen crying for help.

Relatives waiting impatiently
Relatives were also seen waiting impatiently for those trapped in the building on Wednesday. A man Amar Ali came to look for the missing son Shahriar Apu. He said that his son is a sweater garment worker. He came to Ghazi Tyre Factory along with his two uncles Munna and Nazrul. Munna could come out but Apu and Nazrul couldn’t make it.

Noor Alam, son of Saleha Begum of Narayanganj Rupshi area, is still missing. She said, ‘I have not received any news yet. Maybe my son is no more. Even if I find the body. I can bury it.

Uncertainty looms over opening the factory
There is uncertainty about when the Ghazi tyre factory will reopen after being hit by attacks, looting and fire. The authorities informed that it is not yet possible to say when the factory will be opened again.

They said that if the factory is closed, the families of about 10,000 workers, employees and officials will be in danger.

Gazi Group Deputy Manager Rafikuzzaman said, we will pay this month’s salary. But I don’t know what will happen after that. As the chairman (Golam Dastgir Ghazi) is in trouble now, it is difficult to take a decision.
He said, however, an institution that has been built up through so many hardships cannot be allowed to be destroyed in this way. So we will try. But this process can take a long time.

When asked whether legal action will be taken regarding the fire, Gazi Tyres Executive Director (Administration) Brigadier General Muhammad Kamruzzaman said that a general diary was made at Rupganj police station on August 20 regarding the attack. Since the rescue work has not been completed no legal action has been taken in this regard.

Latest info on rescue operation
Even after four days of Gazi tyres fire incident, the fire service could not start the rescue operation in the damaged six-storey building They said that the rescue operation cannot be started as the condition of the building is 'unsafe'
In the afternoon, the investigation committee formed by the administration visited the factory and said that a decision will be taken on the rescue operation on Thursday.

Additional District Magistrate Hamidur Rahman, head of the investigation committee, said that if local manpower is not able to carry out the rescue operation, the assistance of national experts will be sought, and if necessary, the army’s experienced team will be used.

Saiful Islam, Sub-Divisional Engineer of Narayanganj Public Works Department, said on Wednesday evening that the building is in a very dangerous condition even though the fire has been extinguished. We cannot make a decision in this regard. BUET’s expert team will arrive on Thursday. They will decide