DNCC market fire was an act of sabotage planned by government, says BNP

Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi reckons the fire at Gulshan's DNCC Market is an act of sabotage and was orchestrated by the government.

There is a strong connection between the ruling Awami League and the fire, Rizvi claimed at a press conference on Friday.

"They often come up with statements only to cover up their failures. The fire at DNCC market is a planned attack," said senior joint general secretary of BNP, the main opposition of the government outside Parliament.

He feared that a lack of proper investigation could leave the incident unaddressed.

"The traders have already rejected the so-called investigation committee. We demand exemplary punishment for those responsible for the sabotage," he said.

A massive fire broke out in the two-storey market on Monday, leaving more than 150 shops gutted. A portion of the market later caved in after being ablaze for hours.

The market housed around 600 shops in two sections -- one dedicated to groceries, meat and other cooking supplies and the other was a mall.

Many of the affected shop owners held the contractor responsible for carrying out "arson" in order to construct a new building.

The city corporation signed a deal with Amin Associates of the Metro Group to raise an 18-storey trade centre at the location during the regime of BNP-Jamaat alliance in 2003.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi (File Photo)

According to the agreement, the erstwhile undivided DCC was to get 27 percent of the 2,024 shops housed in the zone while Amin Associates would get the rest.

The DCC's share jumped to 37 percent during the regime of the army-backed caretaker government.

Metro Group's attempts to begin construction were met with protests from shop owners, who filed a writ petition at the High Court.

DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq said the case had been disposed of and the affected traders would receive more preference for the new building.

The mayor, however, played down the chances of the fire being a case of arson on Tuesday morning.

Rizvi has hit out at the mayor for his remark. "The mayor drew the conclusion even before an investigation started. He did not pay any heed to what the traders had claimed."