The government Tuesday invited the people of Shankhari Bazaar from Old Dhaka for talks about how to resolve a dispute over preserving the area’s archaeological heritage.
The invitation came after a meeting between community leaders and government delegates who were visiting the area.
The delegation sat with community leaders of Shankhari Bazaar Bhumi Shartharaksha Panchayet Committee to hear their concerns.
Dr Khondaker Showkat Hossain, secretary at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, led the delegation which included Khandaker Shafiqul Islam, additional secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Rajuk Chairman Nurul Huda and Sheikh Abdul Mannan member (planning), Shirin Akhtar, director general of the Department of Archaeology and others from the housing ministry and Rajuk.
Ajay Kumar Nandy, convener of the Shankhari Bazaar Bhumi Shartharaksha Panchayet Committee, and secretary of the committee Udbhab Kumar Nag, along with other leaders of the Hindu community attended the meeting.
Housing Secretary Showkat Hossain said they were supposed to visit during Ramadan, but failed to do so due to some problems. He said they had come now to solve the existing crisis.
“We know that cancellation of a gazette notification is your prime demand, but it is not possible because archeological sites have a great significance for Bangladesh and also across the globe.”
The Ministry of Law is also concerned about the gazette notification, but the housing ministry cannot declare the gazette null and void, he said.
But assured the community the gazette would be reviewed to protect the interest of all parties.
The secretary said that it would not be fair to convert the entire Shankhari Bazaar area into an archeological site, nor would it be fair if residents were to build high rise buildings by demolishing heritage sites dating back one hundred year.
Ajay Kumar Nandy said: “The number of families in the area is rising day by day, but we cannot build new houses because of the government ban.”
Many families are living in old and risky dilapidated buildings, they are compromising with the accommodation crises and many are upset with the government’s decision, he said.
The housing secretary said if the community agreed with the government proposal, then they would be given better facilities in the same area.
The government officials underscored the importance of negotiation to solve disputes.
Nandy however expressed disappointment with the Awami League government’s move declaring Shankhari Bazaar as a heritage site.
“We are very shocked that the incumbent government did so despite our political affiliations with the Awami League. We cast 100% votes for the party in every poll,” he said. He said he was willing to sit for further talks.
The delegation said they could meet on September 12 or 15 at the housing ministry for further talks about the issue.
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works in a gazette notification dated 2009 February declared Shankhari Bazaar an archaeological site.
Built over a century ago, many of the buildings are dilapidated, with cracks in the roofs, pillars and walls, which threatens people’s safety, in case there is a high-magnitude earthquake in Dhaka.
In many instances trees have grown on the walls of the buildings and makeshift bamboo pillars have been used to support the rickety old structures.
Over 142 Hindu families live in the area; most of them earn a living from the traditional conch shell (Shankha) handicrafts and jewellery.