Environmental activists and protesters yesterday demanded immediate arrest and punishment for miscreants who carried out arson and vandalism inside the Dhanmondi playground and hung several banners on its main gate demeaning the Bangabandhu family and the government on Friday night.
They also demanded end to the harassment of activists and urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to preserve the mural of Sheikh Jamal inside the playground.
The protesters, consisting activists from 50 environmental and social organisations and locals of the area, made their demands while addressing a press conference at Chhayanat Cultural Building in the morning.
The press conference was moderated by Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, on behalf of all participating organisations.
At the briefing, Habib also demanded release of fellow activist Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, who was detained by club officials and handed over to police yesterday when he went to the ground after hearing the incident.
Later in the afternoon, Ishtiaque was released after a Dhaka court granted him bail after a hearing.
On Friday night, a group of unidentified miscreants vandalised the nameplate of Sheikh Jamal and painted it black. They also put up three big banners which red: “We congratulate Engineer Mubasshar, Iqbal, Dana and Salma for protecting and opening Dhanmondi playground to public from the control of the illegal government and the Sheikh family. Courtesy: Environmentalists.”
Another eight small banners were also hung on the fences on the playground saying: “The false cases filed by the undemocratic government against architect Mubasshar, Iqbal Habib, Dana and Salma has to be withdrawn. Courtesy: Environmentalists.”
Earlier, a few posters demeaning movement of the green activists were also witnessed on the same places when protesters began their movement to free the public playground from its occupants.
Rejecting allegations of involvement in the attack, Habib said their activities were transparent and they believe in a non-violent approach to environmental causes.
“We did not hang those banners. The occupiers who had been trying to grab the public playground are plotting to put us in trouble,” he claimed.
“We just hung few red flags around the illegal structures and a cartoon poster on the fence bordering the ground, nothing else. The banners put up by miscreants show that they were very rich.” he added.
Claiming that the occupiers of the play ground were the real ones who reap benefits using Bangabandhu and his family’s name, Habib also added: “The Bangabandhu family sacrificed their lives in 1975 for the country. Any disrespect for this family will not be allowed. So, we urged the government to take steps against the criminals,” he said.
Answering to questions, Habib said: “We are expressing deep concern over the incident and condemn such wrongdoings of the occupiers. We hope Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will see our concern through the media and take steps against the criminals.”
Mubasshar Hussain, former president of Institute of Architects (AIB), said: “Earlier, we repeatedly urged authorities concerned to name the playground on Sheikh Jamal. We never opposed the playground being named on Sheikh Jamal.”
He, however, urged the government to free the public playground from all the concrete structures.
The press conference was also addressed by Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association General Secretary Kamrunnahar Dana, architect Salma A Shafi and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, former national cricket team captain and convener of the playgrounds protest committee of Bapa.
