"I will appear before the court with a petition to ensure accountability of the authorities concerned for the loss of lives," said the eminent jurist at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

He was apparently annoyed at the dereliction of duty on the part of administration and said the Supreme Court had two years ago directed the government to ensure adequate number of life saving buoys in all vessels, legal documents before issuing route permit and prevent overloading. But no action had been taken against the violators, he added.

Dr Kamal, also president of Gono Forum, asked the Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain to resign immediately for failing to prevent tragic launch disasters. He estimated 3,000 people died in launch capsize since Akbar took over the office.

He also blasted the shipping minister for failing in his moral obligation to visit Aricha ghat where hundreds of wailing women and men waited for days together for their dear and near ones stuck up in sunken launch MV Raipura.

He suggested the family of victims to file case against the launch owners for operating faulty vessels without necessary equipment and the authorities as well for failure of responsibility.

"We will extend all out support to the litigants," assured Kamal.

Pointing to the government's indifference toward purchasing modern rescue vessels Kamal said 43 years old MV Hamza and MV Rustam are now obsolete to meet the needs.

A team of Jatiya Oikya Mancha led by Dr Kamal on Sunday visited the place in the river Jamuna where MV Raipura capsized five days ago.

Advocate Zahirul Islam read out the statement on behalf of Dr Kamal. Saifuddin Ahmed Manik and Dr MA Hakim were present.