Today is April 24. On this day in 2013, at least 1,138 workers were killed and 2,438 workers were injured in the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar. The relatives and leaders of various labor organizations remembered the workers killed in the Rana Plaza tragedy by lighting candles.
The program was held on Tuesday (April 23) evening by lighting candles at the makeshift altar located in front of Rana Plaza in Savar. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims.
The workers’ organizations and the families of the workers demanded the highest punishment for those involved in the tragedy of Rana Plaza along with praying for the forgiveness of the souls of the victims.
President of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation Rafiqul Islam Sujan told the media that every year on this day we hold various programs in memory of the victims. Every year I make different demands.
The demands are to declare April 24 as the National Labor Day of Mourning, to construct a monument in front of Rana Plaza, to acquire the land of Rana Plaza and arrange for the rehabilitation of affected and injured workers, to ensure maximum punishment for the culprits and to ensure compensation equal to one lifetime’s income to the injured workers.
He also said that none of our long-standing demands have been implemented. We have to fulfill our demands.
Nasima Akhtar, the mother of Akhi Akhtar, the worker who died in the Rana Plaza collapse, told the media that the body of her daughter was not found. Six months after the incident, the girl’s death was confirmed through a DNA sample. Those who lost their daughter due to their negligence have not been tried even today. We want justice.
Four cases were filed in connection with the death of a large number of people due to the collapse of the building. Among them, the police filed a murder case citing the death due to negligence, Rajuk filed a case for constructing the building without following the building construction law. Apart from this, ACC filed two cases related to corruption in building construction and concealment of asset information. Out of the four cases, the case of concealment of asset information has been settled, but the remaining three cases are not facing settlement in eleven long years.
Among them, although the evidence has started in the murder case and the corruption case related to the construction of the building, there is a stay of the High Court in other cases. The accused says that the owner of the building, Sohel Rana, is being held in jail without trial as the cases are not resolved. On the other hand, the state is expecting the cases to be settled quickly.
PDS/MAU
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