The leaders of Bangladesh Launch Owners Association at a meeting at the Department of Shipping yesterday protested against the ongoing drive against faulty vessels and demanded Special Magistrate Munir Chowdhury's withdrawal.

They said they would not be held responsible if any untoward incident took place at the terminal.

The meeting, chaired by shipping department Director General Ahsanul Azim, also discussed the launch terminal situation and steps to be taken for maintaining law and order there in the run-up to the Eid.

The lunch owners became incensed as the special magistrate was conducting regular raids on passenger and cargo vessels.

They are lobbying the government for the withdrawal of the magistrate, sources said.

As many as 450 vessels, including 200 passenger launches, were fined Tk 26 lakh for overloading, risky driving, lacking in safety equipment and up-to-date survey certificates during the drive that began in August.

Eleven passenger launches and 100 cargo vessels were impounded for irregularities.

Sources said some launches belonging to Arafat Raman, son of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, were also fined and impounded for failing to meet safety standards.

His Coco-1 was detained yesterday for about half an hour for carrying goods on the passenger deck.

Home Secretary Mohammad Omar Farooq visited the terminal Tuesday night and expressed satisfaction at the overall situation.

But Officer-in-Charge of Sadarghat Police Outpost Sergeant Altaf was removed from the terminal for failing to discharge his responsibility.

The drive largely restored discipline at the terminal also by removing illegal shops and stopping movement of suspicious people there, sources said.