DHAKA, May 23, 2018 (BSS) – Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan today said those involved in grabbing and polluting rivers would not be spared as the government shows ‘zero tolerance’ against them.
“Like the militants and drug peddlers, the government will show ‘zero tolerance’ against those involved in river grabbing and pollution,” he said, speaking at a discussion on board a ship, Sandhani, in the Buriganga here.
Nongar, a social organization, organized the discussion marking ‘Safe Maritime Security Day’ with its President Suman Shams in the chair.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Mohammad Mozammel Haque, Department of Shipping Director General Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, freedom fighters Monoranjan Ghoshal and Mahbubuddin Ahmed, environmentalists Mihir Biswas, Ishak Khan and Shamser Ali, among others, spoke in the discussion.
Shajahan Khan said the incidence of shipping accident has reduced as the ship owners, labourers and common people are now more conscious.
There was no big shipping accident in the country in the last three years, he added.
The government has been observing the Safe Maritime Security Day since 2009 to create awareness among the people to stop shipping accidents, the minister said.
Bangladesh is now on the highway of development under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he added.
Shajahan said the government has taken proper steps to evict the illegal establishments on the banks of rivers.