THE recently published probe report of Pinak-6 capsize has identified two reasons – the giving of temporary permission for ferrying passengers violating rules by the regulatory authorities and the carrying of excess passengers – for the accidents. The committee, however, did not hold responsible the officials concerned who allowed the ferry to leave Kaorakandi Ghat in Shariatpur and the officials who issued license to the faulty vessel, report several dailies. The seven-member probe committee found faults in the design and construction of Pinak-6. Proving the government authorities innocent and accusing the launch owners and masters for accidents is a predictable output of any probe report though officials of the Shipping Ministry issue the fitness certificate to the unfit vessels to ply after devouring bribes.
The concerned official of the Department of Shipping who provided a temporary permission for ferrying passengers in violation of rules and the Chief Engineer of the department who issued registration for the ferry despite having faulty design were made responsible. The probe report said that the weather was not suitable for ferrying passengers on the day but the concerned port authority did not consider it for allowing the ferry movement. The committee observed that the design and construction of the ferry were faulty as it capsized within 30 seconds after it tilted in the river Padma.
We firmly believe, the government’s insincerity in stopping waterways accident is the main cause of the repeating waterways accident, which thus compels us to tag the incidents as ‘cool-headed killings’ instead of accidents.
The devastating capsize of MV Pinak-6 in the river of Padma on August 4 is still haunting the relatives of the victims as the passengers’ family have not traced their lost dears’ remains. All the accidents in the country’s waterways are usually caused due to excess passengers, unfit vessels plying on the rivers, incompetent launch masters, their indifference to weather warnings, and the lack of accurate and updated navigation maps.
The search for the sunken ferry was called off on August 11, eight days after it capsized in the river Padma near Lauhajang in Munshiganj on August 4 with more than 250 passengers on board. A total of 47 bodies were found in the river downstream of which 28 could be identified by the relatives, leaving the number of missing passengers at 61, according to official data.
It is disturbing that the authorities feel no accountability to anybody. The laws mean nothing for the government employees. Our people have to show more consciousness about their right to life.
