In the face of widespread use of toxic disinfectant formalin on fruits, Dhaka Metropolitan Police has announced the launch of a massive anti-formalin drive and set up special check-posts at all eight entrances to the capital from June 11.
“Controlling the use of formalin has become a great challenge for the government. Time has come to nab traders using formalin on fruits as their actions are similar to attempting mass murder,” DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said while addressing a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre yesterday.
He also issued a warning to illicit traders that charges of attempted murder will be brought against them if they fail to refrain from such heinous activities.
Saying a social movement was required to stop the usage of formalin, Benazir also urged people from all walks of life to come forward for the cause.
Urging fruit farmers not to use formalin on their harvests and transport workers and retailers to create a resistance against such practices, he also added: “We hope that all concerned sectors will respond to our request so that we do not need to destroy formalin-administered fruits, which cause financial losses.”
According to the DMP, the check-posts would be set up at
Postogola Bridge, Sign Board in Jatrabari, Demra, Babubzar Bridge, Sadarghat, Gabtoli, Abdullahpur and Dhour in Uttara.
Officials from the Dhaka District Administration and Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI) will be present at these check-posts.
At the press conference, DMP authorities informed that so far Tk 21 lakh has been collected as a fine from different traders at different markets of the capital.
Formalin is normally used for preservation of animal specimens and tissue samples, disinfectant and anti-bacterial wash and treating parasite infections in fish.
