Magura DC sued for violating court order

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Magura Mohammad Shafiul Alam was sued on Thursday for violating an injunction order regarding eviction of Magura brothel.

Rabeya and Shilpi, on behalf of the sex-workers filed the case with the Assistant Judge's court (Sadar) in Magura.

In the case, they alleged that the DC with the help of some other government officials bulldozed their houses in Natun Bazaar area in the district town on December 25, violating the injunction order.

Advocate Obayedur Rhman, Advocate Ila Chandra and AZM Nurul Amin engaged by the two different non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Ain O Shalish Kendro and Naripakkha respectively moved for the plaintiffs.

Senior Assistant Judge Nitai Chandra Shaha served the notice to DC and asked him to submit if there is any objection regarding the case within February 27.

Over 400 sex workers had been engaged in their job in some houses on the disputed lands in the Natun Bazaar area.

Last year, on April 25 the Magura district administration served notice to the sex-workers to quit the houses built on government land.

Sex workers Rabeya, Shilpi and Rahima filed a case with Assistant Judge's court against the notice. On September 7, 2002, the court issued an injunction order and asked to solve the matter after proper rehabilitation of sex workers.

But the district administration bulldozed the houses of the brothel turning the sex-workers jobless on December 25, 2002.

Despite repeated attempts, the DC could not be reached. But a high official of the local administration on condition of anonymity said, "It was only a part of the unauthorised structure demolition drive and not violation of injunction order."

When asked about the leagality of the demolition of the brothel where there is an injunction order, he said, "The part of the brothel on government land has been demolished only, but other part belonging to Zahangir Master, Anjuman Ara and Sandhya still remain untouched where the sex-workers have been engaged in their job."

Meanwhile, a mixed reaction has been prevailing over the demolition of Magura brothel in the Natun Bazaar area, by the district administration on December 25.

It's totally an inhuman action to evict the brothel without proper step to rehabilitate the sex workers", said Fakhrul Islam a human rights activist in Magura while Saiful Islam a businessman of Natun Bazaar welcomed the demolition of the brothel.

Over 400 sex workers had been living in some houses built by some local unscrupulous people on government land. Different organisations in Magura tried to evict the brothel from the renowned business centre.

This year on April 25, the district administration served notice to the sex workers to leave the houses built on public land. Challenging the notice, Rahima, Rabeya and Shilpi, on behalf of the sex workers, filed a case with Assistant Judge's Court.

The court issued a temporary injunction order in this regard and ordered to solve the matter after proper rehabilitation of the sex workers.

But district administration bulldozed the brothel recently turning the sex workers jobless. Advocate Shahina Akhter said "As there has been a court order of temporary injunction, the eviction of the brothel is completely illegal".