Green activists repeated their demand to remove all structures and stop the construction of concrete structures from Dhanmondi playground and the withdrawal of false cases filed against four green activists.
They also urged the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authority to form a management committee where participation of local people would be ensured.
Activists from over 50 environmental and social organizations made the demands at a rally held in front of the National Press Club.
The programme was chaired by Zakir Hussain, acting general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa).
Former general secretary of Bapa Mofidul Haque Khan said: “The LGED and Sheikh Jamal Club authority constructed concrete structures in the playground for the private club, which is illegal.”
He also alleged that the playground is gradually falling into the hands of several land grabbers, thus forcing children and youths to lose the open space.
“The case against four environmentalists should be withdrawn immediately. The city corporation has reopened the playground to people proving that the case filed by the private club is illegal,” he said.
Bapa Joint Secretary Mihir Biswas said the occupiers of Dhanmondi playground were the real ones who reap the benefits using Bangabandhu and his family’s name.
“So we urged the government to take steps against the criminals,” he added.
Green activists and residents of the area have long been protesting against the illegal occupation of the public playground.
In 2004, following a petition filed by Bangladesh Poribesh Andalan and Institute of Architects Bangladesh, the High Court directed the then city corporation (now Dhaka South City Corporation) to free Dhanmondi playground from the illegal occupation of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
In 2011, the High Court directed the then city corporation to demolish all illegal establishments, which were not related with sporting activities, from the public playground.
On April 24, the DSCC authorities reopened the public playground after almost two years following demonstrations by green activists, locals and sports personalities.
Earlier, a High Court bench dropped a petition filed by six green activists seeking directives to remove illegal structures built on the Dhanmondi playground from its cause list.
