Shishu Mela sealed off for being run 11yrs illegally
The authorities of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) evicted kids' amusement park Shishu Mela in the capital's Shyamoli area yesterday, ending an 11-year illegal occupancy.
The property that belongs to the city corporation will be opened for the public within the next seven days, DNCC officials said during an eviction drive led by Executive Magistrate Sajid Anwar.
In 2002, the 1.4-acre park, adjacent to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, was leased out to Via Media Business Services Ltd for a three-year term in exchange for only Tk1.45 lakh. But they commercialised it with establishing shops and businesses there, said DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq.
"They did not even pay the lease money and renewed the lease…," mentioned the mayor, adding that the park is now sealed off and will soon be opened for the people.
He further said erstwhile Dhaka City Corporation attempted to reclaim the public property after cancelling the lease in 2005, but it could not do so, as the leaseholder immediately secured a High Court injunction.
Talking to The Daily Star, Estate Officer and Executive Magistrate of DNCC Mohiuddin Kabir Mahin said the company would have to pay the dues according to the terms set in the lease deed.
The park's owner, GMM Rahman, claimed, "We still have legal authority to run the park according to the court order."
"We could not renew the lease owing to the city corporation's unwillingness… Even we were not given any notice before sealing it off," alleged Rahman.
"We will take necessary steps according to laws" he said.
However, Sajid said, "The city corporation authorities gave several notices to the leaseholders, but they did not respond."
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