Protect Osmani Udyan from land grabbers

Speakers at a meeting yesterday urged the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) to take legal measures to recover a portion of land at Osmani Udyan which has been grabbed by a 'vested quarter.'
They also urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to take necessary steps against those who are out to grab the land of 200-year-old historic park.
The view exchange meeting was held at the Nagar Bhaban where leaders of Nagorik Sanghati, Nagorik Committee, environment-friendly organisations and officers from government departments concerned were present.
Presided over by DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, the meeting was addressed by noted educationist Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Architect Dr Nizamuddin, DCC Chief Executive Officer Alauddin, Chief Engineer Col Ashfaqul Islam, Chief Health Officer Col Shawkat Ali, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Naim Ahmed and Bela representative Imran Kabir.
The discussants urged people from all walks of life to defend their demand for protecting the Udyan, the only breathing space in the area, as it is again on the verge of becoming a private property.
According to DCC, the government allocated some 23.14 acres of land for Osmani Udyan and handed it over to the corporation.
But one Monwara Begum filed a case with a sub-judge court demanding ownership over 2.8172 acres of land.
Later the High Court (HC) gave the verdict in favour of Monwara after examining the documents and ordered the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to help her take the possession of the land.
Prof Serajul Islam said how Monwara got the HC verdict in her favour is really a mystery as DCC is the legal owner of the Udyan.
"Osmani Udyan has been a public property for the last 200 years. How did Monwara win the legal battle?" he posed a question with a surprise.
Criticising the government officials concerned for their failure to protect the state property, Prof Islam said it is the state's responsibility to protect its property.
“Why the state property will go under private ownership?” he questioned.
Prof Islam requested the DCC mayor to inform the ACC of the matter for taking necessary steps against the persons concerned.
“It's a corruption and as such the ACC has to be informed,” the veteran educationist demanded.
Prof Abu Sayeed said people wanted to know how did the court give the verdict keeping one party (DCC) in the darkness and ignoring people's interest.
“There might have been some problems in the court," he said, adding that the absence of both the attorney general and the deputy attorney general from the court on the day of hearing is quite suspicious.
He urged the DCC to take all legal measures to protect the park.
Sadeque said no one will be able to grab the land of Osmani Udyan as it is the property of people and there is no doubt about it.
"We will go for legal battle to win the case by appointing noted lawyers of the country," he added.