DHAKA: Businessmen are chanting slogans in favor of keeping chemical warehouses at Chawbazar amid government’s move to remove all warehouses from where tragedy occurred.

Businessmen claimed all products are made from chemicals. Gas cylinder is the cause of tragedy, not chemical. Therefore, gas cylinder is to be banned from the country.

On the other hand, local residents demand all shops and warehouses of chemical shall be removed from the residential area.  

The slogans came when Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon visited Chawbazar area of Old Dhaka on Saturday (February 23).

The mayor assured them of a logical solution to this issue.

Hazi Muslim, a businessman, said all products come from chemical. No accidents resulted from chemical yet. Gas cylinder blast caused lives everywhere including Ijtema Maidan. We don’t want gas cylinder.

At least 67 people were killed and many injured in the fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse in Chawkbazar area of Old Dhaka around 10:45 pm on Wednesday (February 20).

BDST: 1800 HRS, FEB 23, 2019

AH/SMS