In the wake of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 46 individuals at Green Cozy Cottage on Bailey Road in the capital, operations are underway across Dhaka. RAJUK, along with two city corporations of Dhaka, Police-RAB, and other law enforcement agencies, have initiated raids on restaurants situated in high-rise buildings in Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, Khilgaon, and Newmarket areas.
During a three-day operation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested a total of 872 individuals. These arrests were made on various charges, including operating without the required license and lacking adequate fire safety measures.
Furthermore, a mobile court of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) fined Kacchi Bhai, a biryani shop in Gulshan, for operating in hazardous conditions. Additionally, Dhanshiri restaurant in Gulshan and Sonargaon General Store were fined Tk 40,000 and Tk 50,000 respectively.
Under the leadership of Executive Magistrates Zulkar Nayan and Mahmudul Hasan, DNCC launched operations in Gulshan and Banani areas, with the fire service also participating. The mobile court visited Hossain Bhaban in Gulshan-2 Circle, where they discovered eight restaurants, including Kacchi Bhai, operating without proper fire safety measures.
According to Executive Magistrate Zulkar Nayan, Kacchi Bhai failed to provide valid documents other than the trade license and lacked essential fire safety equipment and exits. As a result, the biryani shop was fined Tk 100,000, with the possibility of further penalties if discrepancies persist.
Moreover, Sonargaon General Store was fined Tk 50,000 for storing goods on the ground floor of a seven-storey building, while Dhanshiri restaurant received a Tk 40,000 fine for inadequate fire safety measures and substandard kitchen conditions.
The recent fire at Green Cozy Cottage has sparked nationwide criticism regarding hotel and restaurant management practices. Concerns have been raised about the safety standards of restaurants in various areas, prompting government organizations to launch a crackdown operation in the capital.
During these raids, restaurants found to be operating outside regulatory guidelines, particularly those located in residential buildings, are being shut down. Additionally, arrests and fines are being imposed in some instances.
This proactive approach by authorities aims to ensure the safety and compliance of establishments across Dhaka in light of recent tragedies.RAJUK raided restaurants in Khilgaon area. At that time, four restaurants were fined 7 lakh taka.
This eviction campaign was carried out by the executive magistrate Kamrul Islam. He said, "In several multi-storied buildings, restaurants were built without complying with the instructions of RAJUK and due to lack of adequate fire safety measures, fines were imposed immediately. A total fine of 7 lakh taka was collected from four restaurants. We are looking at the environmental clearance, whether the fire exit points are correct or not. Apart from this, whether the building is commercial or residential, it is being verified whether the relevant organization has a certificate to run the restaurant.
Dhaka South City Corporation and Fire Service and Civil Defense raided New Super South Market under New Market police station in the capital. In the raid, 13 shops were fined 65 thousand taka and removed. The operation was conducted at around 12 noon on Wednesday.
At this time, direct observation of the fire safety system and risk of the market and instructions to solve various inconsistencies are given. At the same time, 13 shops were fined Tk 5,000 and a total of Tk 65,000 for breaking the rules and setting up floating shops on the stairs. Apart from this, these shops were removed.
Dhaka South City Corporation Executive Magistrate Jahangir Alam led the campaign. He said, "The stairs of this market are emergency exits, i.e. for people to go down in case of fire." But we came here and saw that all the stairs have been occupied and shops have been set up. In any fire incident, the fire service will create great difficulty in reaching the place or getting people down. Because of that, 13 shops have been fined and removed by conducting raids in this place.
Meanwhile, the owner authorities have closed restaurants in different areas of Dhaka in a continuous campaign. The hotline numbers of these shops are not being answered even by phone. Various organizations including the police have conducted raids on different buildings of Dhanmondi, which have been built by changing the design. At least five eateries built illegally on the footpath in front of City College were demolished yesterday by Dhanmondi police. It is supported by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
According to the information of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), 872 people have been arrested for keeping dangerous gas cylinders and flammable chemicals in hotels and restaurants in raids starting from Sunday till yesterday. At least 20 cases have been registered against them. 887 prosecutions have been given. 1 thousand 347 raids are going on in these three days. Among them, there are 1,132 hotels and restaurants, 207 hazardous gas cylinder stores, and eight chemical godowns.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 07 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
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