Reconstruction of Shaheed Minar: Human chain demands monument at previous location

People from all walks of life, including Language Movement veterans, freedom fighters, journalists and cultural activists, formed a human chain yesterday, protesting the ongoing construction work of the district central Shaheed Minar, changing it from its original location.

They formed the two-hour long human chain at Mission Intersection in the town yesterday noon.

Sufi Mohammad, president of Lalmonirhat Sangskritik Kendra, a cultural platform, also served a legal notice to Lalmonirhat municipality mayor in this regard yesterday.

Speakers at the rally said Lalmonirhat municipality authority is rebuilding the Shaheed Minar spending Tk 16,90,937 from its development fund.

They alleged that the authorities concerned are reconstructing the Shaheed Minar some few yards away from its original location at Thana Road so that the eye catching luxurious house of a local Awami League (AL) leader can be visible from the main road.

Speakers said reconstruction of the Shaheed Minar is going on at a corner behind its original location which will not be visible for the passer by.

Advocate Hafizur Rahman, member secretary of Lalmonirhat Sangskritik Kendra, said they will continue their agitations till their demands are fulfilled. 

Locals said the central Shaheed Minar was built at Thana Road in Lalmonirhat town in 1972. There is an old tree behind it, but its reconstruction is going on at a spot just behind the tree.

Contacted, Suman Khan, former deputy publicity secretary of district unit AL, said the allegations brought against him are baseless.

It's not him, but the municipality authorities who will decide where the Shaheed Minar would be rebuilt, he said.

Lalmonirhat Municipality Mayor Riazul Islam Rintu said reconstruction of the Shaheed Minar is going on according to the design and make it more attractive.