The Harijan community presented a four-point demand on Saturday seeking justice over Wednesday's attack, where 30 people, including children, were injured.
The demands were made during a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Saturday afternoon, attended by over 200 members of the Harijan community.
Speakers at the rally mentioned the long history of the Mironzilla colony, which spans over 400 years, and expressed concern over being labeled as outsiders.
They condemned the Dhaka South City Corporation's plan to construct a multi-storied commercial building on the colony land, which would involve evicting the residents of Mironzilla Colony in ward no 33 under Bangshal police station.
‘Don’t want rehabilitation or compensation, just our land back’The speakers also blamed the Dhaka South City Corporation for conducting an eviction drive without notice on Wednesday, resulting in more than 50 families becoming homeless.
Their demands are
1. All individuals involved in the attack should be brought to justice, and all false and harassing cases filed by ward councillor against the Harijan community should be withdrawn.
2. The conspiracy and hate speech of the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation should be retracted.
3. All evacuation plans should be stopped permanently, as the 400-year-old settlement is not illegal.
Attack on Harijan community in Bangshal: How did it unfold?4. The land of Mironzilla Colony belongs to its residents. The ownership of this land should be transferred to them, complete with all necessary documents.
On Wednesday, a group of miscreants swooped on the residents of Mironzilla Sweeper Colony in Bangshal, resulting in injuries to 30 people, including children.
The incident occurred at around 12pm when several outsiders began pelting stones and brickbats at the colony.
Residents reported that after multiple failed attempts to evict the residents, the attack was launched to intimidate them.
They alleged that MA Awal Hossain, councilor of Ward 33, orchestrated these attacks on the Harijan community.
