A large number of local residents-men women and children-thronged Dhanmondi Playground in the city on March 28 last to voice their protest against illegal occupation of this decades'-old open space. They demanded of the authorities concerned to restore the playground to its original position for public use.
Some of the protesters alleged that the committee which now runs the playground on behalf of a private club is headed by the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). They also alleged that despite High Court order to free the ground from illegal possession no action has been taken as yet in this connection. The High Court also issued a rule upon Dhaka-South City Corporation (DSCC) to explain why contempt charges should not be brought against the corporation for non-compliance of HC directives to free the playground from unlawful possession.
The local residents, human rights activists and environmentalists also formed a human chain outside the boundary wall of Dhanmondi playground. The management of the private club, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, has made security arrangement for round-the-clock to prevent anyone from entering the ground except the members of the club. The protesters who were demanding eviction of the grabbers and free this space for public use included noted educationist and pioneer of library movement, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive officer of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association and Abdul Matin, General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon. Members of many other organizations who took part in the protest were Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, Ain o Salish Kendra and Nijera Kori.
The management of the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi club at Road#08 has erected structures on the playground and kept it under occupation without government permission. It is surprising that despite High Court order to keep the playground free for public use the authorities concerned, in this case the DSCC has failed to remove the illegal structures built by the club management and recover the playground. About five years ago, press reports say, the minister of public works tried to remove the illegal structures from the playground but to no effect.
Nearly three decades ago, the Public Works Department(PWD) handed over the playground on 13.5 bigha of land to the Dhaka City Corporation for maintenance and public use. It may be mentioned that upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition filed jointly by the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, an environmentalist organisation and the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, the High Court directed the City Corporation in 2004 to free the playground from illegal possession.
About three years ago the High Court again asked the DSCC, public works ministry and the club management to remove all illegal structures. The High Court also issued order to keep playground open to public. The City Corporation, instead of complying with the High Court order, built a boundary wall with attractive entrance to the playground at the cost of public money for exclusive purpose of a private club.
In this connection, we would like to refer to a High Court (HC) directive to concerned authorities for demarcation of all open spaces in the city. The HC in its order on May 11, 2003 upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petition, asked the government to complete the process of demarcation of all open spaces under the Open Space Protection Act of 2000. The HC also asked the government to undertake a plan for development and maintenance of the open spaces as required under the Town Improvement Act of 1953 and the Dhaka City Corporation Ordinance of 1993.
Furthermore, the High Court issued a rule upon DCC Mayor, PWD Chief Engineer and Rajuk Chairman to show cause as to why they should not be directed to protect 10 playgrounds and 61 parks.
The city dwellers are still hopeful that the authorities concerned will recover Dhanmondi Playground from illegal occupation and allow the children in the densely-populated metropolis to grow up with access to outdoor play and recreation.
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