Demolish structures, stop construction
Green activists and former national players yesterday demanded that all old structures of Dhanmondi Playground be demolished and the construction of new ones be stopped immediately.
They also demanded the withdrawal of false case against the activists, who had been demonstrating to protect the field.
They made the demands at a citizens' rally jointly organised by 50 environmental and social organisations in the playground, said a press release.
Architect Mobassher Hossain, convener of Dhanmondi Math Rokkha Andolon, said the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had said those who were now occupying the field were illegal occupiers.
Therefore, it is evident that Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club is an illegal occupier, he said.
Architect Iqbal Habib said the playground was prepared for the interest of planned urbanisation and it was open for the general people in the past.
He said many famous players had grown up playing in the field but the Sheikh Jamal Club authority had deprived the children and juveniles of playing here in the last three years keeping the field restricted.
Though it has been open for all since May 24, the new structures in the middle of the field are hampering the smooth movement of the players, he added.
Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, former captain of Bangladesh national cricket team, said they had wanted the whole field to be free for common people.
The activists also demanded that a management committee with the initiative of DSCC be formed to protect the field, and local people be involved in the field's management.
The DSCC on May 24 opened the playground to public. In a notice at the entrance to the field, the corporation announced that the ground was open to public.
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