Rajuk authorities yesterday suspended the process of acquiring Zinda Park in Narayanganj’s Rupganj in face of protest by locals and activists of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba).
The issue was solved mutually following day-long arguments from both sides. According to the decision, a signboard saying: “This property is acquired by Rajuk. Managing body: Agra Pathik Samabay Samiti” will be hung in front of the park.
The authorities concerned along with 600 police personnel, led by Narayanganj Police Super Syed Nurul Islam and Additional Police Super Shahidul Islam, gathered in front of the park to acquire it around 10am yesterday.
On the other hand, thousands of people – members of the Samabay Samiti, their family members, locals – led by Poba Chairman Abu Naser Bhuiyan and Joint Secretary Pankaj Bhattacharjee stood against the law enforcers.
Many of the protesters brought petrol with them and warned the law enforcers that they would burn themselves if they tried to acquire the park.
Founder of the park Tobarok Hossain Kushum said the park was established in 1979 on 100 bigha land and was registered in 1981. Saying that around 5,000 people worked in the park at present, Tobarok asserted that if the park was acquired by Rajuk, these people would lose their jobs.
Though a case was going on in the High Court in this regard, Rajuk authorities came to forcibly acquire the park illegally, Tobarok added.
Police Super Syed Nurul said there was an oral mutual understanding between the two authorities, adding that high-ups of Rajuk would made a final decision in this regard later.
Nayeem Ahmed, a Rajuk official, said they came to establish the authority of Rajuk over the park, not to acquire it. When asked, the official said the law enforcers were brought to ensure security.
