BAGERHAT: Forest Department filed a lawsuit against three people, including owner of the fertilizer-laden cargo vessel that capsized in Sundarbans, fearing Tk 1 crore damages of its aquatic animals and biodiversity.

The move came two days after cargo vessel MV Zabale Nur, carrying 670 tons of muriate of potash (MoP), sank in River Bhola on Tuesday.

Following the incident, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Kamal Uddin Ahmed of Sundarbans East Forest Division filed a general diary (GD) with Sarankhola Thana.

Later, the GD was converted to a case, accusing vessel owner Aminul Islam, master Abdul Matin and engine operator Masun Billal for damaging environment in Sudarbans.

Sarankhola Thana Officer-In-Charge (OC) M Rezul Karim confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Meanwhile, the sunken vessel is yet to pull away. Operation is underway to rescue the sunken Vessel and remove the melted fertilizers from the sunken vessel.

Sunken MV Zabale Nur (M-6943) of M/S Al Ehsan Shipping Lines was traveling to Baghabari of Sirajganj, carrying MoP from Harbaria of Mongla.

On its way, it got stuck in a shoal in Bimal Char area in River Bhola. Later, owners sent two other cargo ships to unload MoP from the trapped one.

When they began offloading the fertilizers, the lower parts of trapped MV Zabale Nur burst, leading the vessel to sink in the river partially.

Earlier on December 9, an oil-tanker, carrying 350,000 litres oil, for a power plant in Gopalganj sank in Shela River near Chandpai range of Sundarbans after being hit by another tanker.

Following the oil-tanker capsize, several committees including that of a United Nation recommended banning on Vessel traffic in waterways through Sundarbans.

BDST: 1912 HRS, MAY 07, 2015
HB/RS