Tentultala Ground Protest

Photo: Collected Locals staged protest at Tentultala ground on Monday

Locals give ultimatum to remove construction materials from Tentultala ground

At the same time, the government and the police have been urged to make the ground open to all. Five-point demand has been made to protect the ground.

The ultimatum was given on Monday (April 25) afternoon at a citizens' convention held at Tentultala ground.

At the rally, Khushi Kabir, a social worker and human rights activist, said that all the iron rod-cement that had been planted in Tentultala ground should be removed. This place is not ideal for a police station building. The ground must be open to all. Even if it is nominal, this ground should not be given to anyone.

Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Law and Arbitration Center (ASC), Bast, Green Voice, Do It Yourself, Citizen Entrepreneurship, Women's Wing, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Human Rights Support Society and TIB representatives joined the convention.

Khushi Kabir said, "When a person is arrested, she does not know what would be done with her? Will she not be taken to DB office or will she be taken to court for remand? Some of the government authorities realized that even after 13 hours, Ratna Apa (ground protection activist Syeda Ratna) and her son were released. We must continue our movement to protect the Tentultala ground. Police are paid with the money of the people of the country to maintain law and order. The police force thinks they are capable of acting illegally."

She said the way the construction works started on Sunday, it seemed the police wanted to occupy the place. I would like to agree with everyone and say that all the rod-cement here should be uprooted. This work must be done by the police.