The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

At least 30,000 unidentified people were accused in two cases filed with South Keraniganj Police Station yesterday for Sunday's riot and arson over the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) closure of Simpson Ghat on the River Buriganga.

A case was filed by Sohagh Dhali, owner of MV Riaz-4 for damaging

and setting fire to the launch, while police Sub-Inspector Manjur Morshed filed another case for rioting, assaulting police and hindering officials from discharging government duties.

Thousands of people, including shop owners and employees of Zilla Parishad Market, Alam Market, Chowdhury Nagar Market and Nuru Market of Charkaliganj in South Keraniganj area, on the opposite side of Simpson Ghat Mosque, ran riot and set fire to MV Riaz-4 and MV Abhijan and vandalised 10 other launches protesting setting up of three pontoons closing the river ghat.

Around 50 people, including a dozen policemen, were also injured in the incident.

The Chairman of the BIWTA Abdul Mannan Hawlader said, "One pontoon has already been removed for ferrying people and goods through Simpson Ghat."

"Within one month, the removed pontoon will be set up again and two new ghats will be constructed 60 feet on the right side of the existing ghat," he said yesterday.

"The decision for setting up of the pontoons were taken several years ago. It will reduce the incidents of boat capsize after shifting of the ghat," said the BIWTA Chairman.

Every year there are 100 accidents between boats and motor launches because of the disadvantaged position of the existing ghat, according to the local sources.