DHAKA: Civil society people on Saturday sought intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to protect Dhanmondi playground and make it open to all. 

 “We are urging the premier to take immediate steps to remove all illegal establishments from Dhanmondi playground and make it open to all,” said Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed on behalf of the civil society under the banner of ‘Dhanmondi Playground Protect Movement’ at the National Press Club in the morning.

As per court directives, Dhaka South City Corporation (DDC South) has opened the much-talked-about Dhanmondi playground for mass people and installed four signboards, tiled ‘the playground is open to public’, on the boundary wall of the playground.

Green activist Architect Mobassher Hossain said, “Violating court directives, Sheikh Jamal again locked all gates of the playground and removed the banner set up by the city corporation.  

They also demanded withdrawal of a case filed against renowned sport personalities.  

On April 18, after a demonstration by environmentalists, Dhanmondi Club filed a case accusing them of entering Dhanmondi playground illegally, hampering construction works and creating chaos near private property.

Later, four Green activists Mobassher Hossain, former president of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh; Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon; Kamrunnahar Dana, general secretary of Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association, and architect Salma A Shafi surrendered before court and got bail.

In 2004, following submission of a petition by Bapa and IAB, the High Court directed the then city corporation to free Dhanmondi playground from illegal occupation by Sheikh Jamal Club.

In March 2011, the court again ordered the DCC, the Public Works Ministry and the club authorities to remove all illegal structures so that the ground remained open to all.

BDST: 1540 HRS, MAY 31, 2014