Cracks in FF's sculpture

The sculpture of a martyred freedom fighter, built two years ago in Dakkhin Sunamganj upazila, has developed cracks in the last eight months and may break down any time.

The sculpture was built in Ahsanmara area on the west side of Sylhet-Sunamganj highway to commemorate martyred freedom fighter Taleb. Sunamganj Zila Parishad built it at a cost of Tk 10 lakh in the fiscal year 2015-16.

Husna Begum, a resident of Ahsanmara village, said an accident can occur any time as the statue may fall due to low quality construction.

Dakkhin Sunamganj Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Commander freedom fighter Ataur Rahman said the sculpture has cracked due to low quality work.

Sumon Kumar Dey, proprietor of M/S Sumon Kumar Dey, said he did the work out of respect. He said there was some damage to the structure when lightning struck it during the last Baishakh, but the original structure was not harmed, adding that the zila parishad has kept the sculpture unprotected.

He also alleged that the parishad did not pay his bills and security money.

Sunamganj Zila Parishad Assistant Engineer Surjosen Roy told this correspondent that the sculpture developed cracks eight months ago, so they did not pay the security money, adding that they asked the contractor to repair the statue.