The families of 182 missing workers, who went missing following a fire at Gazi Tyres factory, satged a protest in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj, demanding answers and the whereabouts of the missing.
The fire was reportedly caused after a robbery and the blaze raged for five days, severely affecting the factory.
On Wednesday afternoon (January 8), the families of the missing workers gathered outside Rupganj Police Station, holding pictures of their loved ones, demanding answers and the whereabouts of the missing. They staged a protest for nearly two hours.
The fire incident occurred on August 25, after a robbery took place at the factory. The perpetrators allegedly set the factory on fire, and it continued burning for five days with no concrete investigation or results. The factory is owned by former Minister and MP, Gazi Golam Dostagir, of the then-ruling Awami League.
According to a report by the district administration, which was released on September 12, 182 individuals were reported missing after the fire. Despite five months passing, the authorities have failed to confirm the whereabouts of the missing workers or whether they are dead.
The families of the missing workers have expressed their frustration with the lack of progress. They accused the authorities of negligence in finding their loved ones and ensuring proper investigations, including examining the factory site for any remains.
During the protest, the family members emphasized that it had been five months since the incident, but the government agencies had not provided any substantial answers or clarity about the fate of the missing individuals. They also alleged that no efforts had been made to search the wreckage for remains inside the factory.
In response to the protest, the officer-in-charge of the police station, Golam Mustafa, explained that an eight-member investigative committee led by an additional district magistrate had been formed to probe the incident. The committee had compiled a list of the missing individuals. The army had been involved in the investigation at the time, and they encouraged the families of the missing to provide any updated contact details so that the search could be resumed.
This is not the first time the families have voiced their dissatisfaction. On December 29, the families of the missing workers had previously blocked the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road in their protest. They are calling for justice, proper investigation, and answers about the fire and the fate of the missing workers.
