Bangladesh launch owners' platform seek release of Pinak-6 owner, son

The Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carriers') Association-a platform of launch owners, have pressed for the release of the owner of Pinak-6, Abu Bakkar Siddique and his son Omar Faruque Limon.

Following the capsizing of the launch-Pinak-6 in the Padma river on August 4, the duo were arrested on August 13 and 15 respectively, in connection with a case filed by a traffic inspector of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The mishap has claimed 110 lives and at least 62 people are still missing in the incident, the Daily Star reported.

On August 25, the Launch owner's association had submitted a memorandum signed by nine leaders of the association, including its chairman Mahbub Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, to the Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan demanding the release of Pinak-6 owner and his son. The association has also claimed that both have been kept illegally in prison.

They have also demanded before the government that it should not file cases and arrest any launch owners in future under the code of criminal procedure following accidents in waterways.

Meanwhile, Shipping Minister, Shahjahan Khan, while reacting on the release of the launch owner, said that an enquiry is going on into the accident and that steps will be taken on the basis of the enquiry report.

During a meeting on August 31between the Shipping Minister and owners, officials of BIWTA, BIWTC and Department of Shipping saw the formation of a nine-member body to scrutinise the demands of the owners. The body will be responsible to chalk out plans to ensure river safety.

The meeting follows in the backdrop of the launch owners threatening to stage a nationwide strike in waterways if their demands are not met.