Pinak yet to be traced
Mozammel Hossain Sajal: Nobody exactly knows when the sunken launch MV Pinak-6 will be found. Everyone now asks where it has gone?

Authorities concerned could not trace the sunken launch over the last four days following its capsize in the river Padma near Mawa in Louhajang of Munshiganj.

But losing the near and dear ones, relatives have been queuing at Mawa everyday. They have abandon the hope of getting back their near and dear ones. The relatives have been rushing to different places by trawlers and seaboats whenever they hear about the recovery of dead bodies from the rivers in different districts. Many have also been waiting on the bank of the river at Mawa with great hopes to get back their beloved ones.

32 bodies found in 4 days

Meanwhile, 32 bodies have so far been recovered till filing this report at about 7.45 Thursday night. Ten bodies were recovered on Thursday alone. Earlier, 18 bodies recovered on Wednesday, two on Tuesday and two on Monday, the day of accident.

Srinagar Circle ASP Mia Kutubur Rahman Chowdhury, who is the spokesman of the information centre opened by the district administration, said till 6pm from Thursday morning, three bodies were found floating in Bhola, three in Shariatpur, one in Barisal, one in Luxmipur and one in Madaripur.

Of the 32 bodies recovered in last four days, 11 were recovered in Bhola, four in Barisal, three at Mawa in Munshiganj, eight in Shariatpur, four in Chandpur, one in Madaripur and one in Luxmipur. These bodies comprised 17 men and 15 women and children. Sixteen bodies were handed over to their relatives as they were identified. The rest 16 bodies have been kept at police control room of Panch Char Govt Primary School ground under Shibchar upazila in Madaripur district. There are names of 133 missing people in the list of police control room.

Kandari fails to trace Pinak

Meanwhile, rescue vessel Kandari has also failed in tracing the Pinak-6 launch, which sank in the river Padma near 100 yards from Mawa river bank while it was coming to Mawa launch ghat with 250 passengers on board from Kaorakandi at about 11am on Monday.

Afterward, rescue vessels Rustam and Nirvik were brought in here from Narayanganj to rescue the missing passengers and tracing the Pinak. Later, two other vessels–Sandhani and Durbar–joined the rescue operation. As these four rescue vessels failed to trace the Pinak-6, hi-tech ship Jarip-11 was brought here from Chittagong. But due to inclement weather it went back to Chittagong again though it sailed for Mawa.

On Wednesday midnight, rescue vessel Kandari-2 joined with four other rescue vessels at Mawa. Kandari-2 started searching the Pinak-2 immediately after arriving at Mawa. A large number of experts searched the the Padma riverbed, but they could not find the Pinak.

Commander M Manzurul Karim Chowdhury, head of the Department of Hydrography of Chittagong Port, said Kandari-2 has brought ‘side sonar global positioning system and sub-bottom propeller which is used in the survey of sea to identify the sunken lauch’s position.

Captain Nazrul Islam, head of the rescue team of the Bangladesh Navy, said Kandari-2 has joined the rescue operation. The rescue operation would contiue till the sunken launch is found. “If necessary, we will search deeper into the river,” he said.

Jarip-10 coming

On the other hand, ‘Jarip-10’ ship has again been called in for thr recovery of sunken launch. Captain Nazrul Islam said ‘Jarip-10’ ship has already sailed for Mawa. “It is likely to join the recue operation from Friday,” he said.

It is learnt that Jarip-10 ship is able to conduct searching operation beneath the water. It is equipped with latest technology. It has multi-beam side scanner, sub-bottom profile and side scanner for scanning under water. The ship can scan everything on both sides and beneath the water when it is in operation.

Captain Nazrul Islam said though Jarip-10 is smaller in size, it has much capability. It can scan up to 250 meters on both sides when it is in operation. Besides, it can scan up to 70 meters deeper into mud-mixed soil and 18 meters deeper into sand mixed soil.

It is also learnt that Jarip-10’s technology has been imported from the United States spending Tk 36 crore.

Removal of BIWTA chair and other corrupt officials demanded

Meanwhile, local people staged demonstartion at Kaorakandi ghat area under Shibchar upazila on Thursday demanding removal of BIWTA chairmand and other corrupt officials. At that time, they blocked the road. As a result, no vehicle could ply on the road.

The people also blamed the BIWTA chairman and corrupt officials for such a major launch diaster.

BNP delegation coming to Mawa

Meanwhile, a BNP delegation is arriving at Mawa at 10am on Friday. The delegation led by BNP central committee vice-chairman and former deputy prime minister Shah Moazzem Hossain will start their journey from Dhaka at 8.30am by road. It is learnt that the BNP delegation is arriving Mawa at the directive of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Former premier Khaleda Zia’s former assistant press secretary AKM Mohiuddin Khan Mohon confirmed it.

observerbd