The government is planning to restrict indiscriminate entry into Suharwardy Udyan for checking anti-social activities in the park as soon as the on-going development work of Swadhinata Stambha is completed, reports NewAge.
‘We will keep only one of the gates open for the public to ensure proper maintenance and security of the ground,’ said Dewan Mohammad Yamin, chief engineer of the public workers department.
He admitted that the open space now during the night turns into a safe haven for muggers, floating sex workers and all sorts of anti-social elements.
He also said the law enforcers, including the Ansars on duty, turn a blind eye to the activities in the park covering an area about 70 acres of land near Dhaka University on one side and the High Court and the Shishu Park on the other.
The muggers become active after the sunset as a section of the guards and law enforcers are reported to have underhand dealings with the criminals, said public works department official.
They also said the enforcers also collect toll both from the sex workers and their clients.
Only 19 Ansars are not enough for ensuring security of the entire park, said one of the Ansars member who did not want to be named. ‘We have requested the authorities on several occasions to increase the number,’ he added.
Families of labourers occupying the park and drug dealing are some other familiar features of the park which can become another splendid place for taking fresh air for the city dwellers who now avoid going there, said Mansur Hossain, a middle aged man living in the nearby Chankharpul area.
Most of the lights inside the park are out of order and the cleaners come here only twice a month, said Sohag, a student of Dhaka University.
DU history teacher Muntasir Mamun says the country’s historic Suhrawardy Udayan has become a dead and dark park in the night for lack of proper security measures.
The atmosphere may be different with the completion of the Shadhinata Stambha and then it will also become a tourist spot, he added.
The government has already spent nearly Tk 64 crore to build Shadhinatar Stanbha while another Tk 181 crore will be spent in the second phase for completing Swadhinata Stambha by 2012, according to officials of the development project.
Suhrawardy Udayan, earlier known as the Race Course Ground, is of historic importance as the Pakistani occupation forces put down their arms here on December 16, 1971 after nine months of war for independence.
The same year Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had delivered his historic March 7 speech here at a gathering of thousands of people.
Article courtesy: NewAge , Image: dhakadailyphoto.blogspot.com
