Dhaka: No resident knows the owner of the two-storey corrugated-iron sheet-build makeshift structure that collapsed and killed at least 12 persons at Rampura in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon.

Tenants confirmed that they had been paying the rent regularly to a manager, but refused to reveal the name of the person.

The building had electricity, gas and water supply, but no authorities are aware of the connections.

Police filed a case against a Juba League leader, but did not give details about the accused.

Fire fighters with the help of local people drag out 12 bodies from the debris of a two-storey building that caved in a waterbody at Jhilpar in Rampura.

Tenants decline to give details about the owner or landlord of the building. A tenant, wishing anonymity, said, ‘We heard that one Munir is the owner, but we never met him. A manager was used to collect rents. He was from Comilla.’ The tenant, however, did not give the name of the collector.

A local resident said, ‘Munir Chowdhury is a Juba League leader. He collected rents from tenants. He went absconding following the incident.’

The district administration is still in dark about the ownership of the house. Chief district administrator Tofazzal Hossain Mia said, ‘A committed has been filed to investigate the incident. This committee will try to get information on the ownership of the waterbody. It has already started its investigation by collecting an area map ... the committee is asked to submit its findings by five working days.’

Some local people who have houses by the road to the waterbody, said, ‘As far as we know, the waterbody and the adjacent field are private property.’

The lawmaker of the constituency that includes the waterbody,  AKM Rahmat Ullah said, ‘This is public property. [I am not sure whether] it is government land or not. If anyone had grabbed it illegally, he must be punished.’

Responding to a question on Munir Chowdhury’s ownership of the house, Rahmat Ullah said, ‘I knew that Juba Dal leader Tulu is the owner. The illegal grabbers, however, had no religion, party or group. Chhatra League activists often join hands with the activists of Juba League... an investigation body has been formed. Grabbers will be identified. Rana Plaza owner is facing justices, these owners will not be an exception.’  

The area Jhilpar is under Ward 23 of Dhaka north city. Ward Awami League leader Sardar Faisal Bashar Fuad is now vying for the post of ward councillor in the city elections. He said, ‘I have heard about Munir after the building collapse. There are a few activists named Munir in our party. Which Munir is responsible, I am not sure. I demand the punishment of the person, whoever he is. I will work to evict the illegal grabbers in future.’