Yet to come into being in 4 years

Although four years have passed since the inauguration of Sheikh Russel Memorial Children's Park in Bakerganj upazila of Barishal, the site development work is yet to begin.

Moreover, the proposed land of the children's amusement park has been being used for the personal business of a local Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activist.

According to what could be known, local lawmaker Nasreen Jahan Ratna laid the foundation stone of the park in 2017.

It was supposed to be built on one acre of land in front of the upazila office. But the development of the park has remained elusive for the last four years.

Additionally, a local college BCL leader Asadul Islam Raju has occupied a part of the land for running his sand and bricks business, locals said.

Raju is the son of Mafuza Begum Bhanu, the councillor of ward no 5 in the municipality area. He is the organising secretary of the government Bakerganj College unit BCL.

Visiting the spot, it was found that like Raju some other local influential have also been running their business occupying the land for the proposed children's park.

Taran Ganguly, a local teacher, said that the way the land is being grabbed, the Shaheed Minar will be engulfed soon.

Locals alleged that due to delay in the development works, a section of contractors has been using the field for their personal gains marring the beauty of the space where children could find respite in their free time.

Shah Sajeda, the convener of Barisahl Sacheton Nagorik Committee, demanded that the illegal occupants be immediately evicted from the land immediately and the park be handed over to the children upon completion of the development work.

BCL leader Raju said he kept the building materials on the field as he found it empty and he was not aware that occupying the land would create any problem.

"I have not occupied any land; just kept some materials which I will remove in a few days," he said adding that the authority is turning a blind eye to those contractors who have also kept construction materials occupying the field.

Lawmaker of Barishal-6 (Bakerganj) constituency Nasreen Jahan Ratna said that she forwarded the proposal for the implementation of the park to the Ministry of Youth and Sports four years ago.

"I don't know the development but will inquire about it soon," she said.

"I have already instructed the illegal occupants to remove the materials immediately from the field," she added.

Bakerganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Madhabi Roy said that they have received the complaint against illegal businesses occupying the land of the proposed Sheikh Russell Memorial Children's Park.

"The local MP has informed us the matter over phone and asked to us act," said the UNO.

"I have already sent surveyors and to investigate the incident," she added.