Photo: Messenger
Five individuals have claimed ownership of Public Square (Hiron Square), an entertainment center owned by the Barishal City Corporation (BCC), and have taken it over. A signboard has been placed at the park gate by the Bibir Pukur area, declaring the property as privately owned.
Earlier, on the early morning of Friday, September 13, the old gate of the park was demolished and replaced with a new one. This act has sparked outrage among the city's residents.
However, one of the claimants asserted that BCC has acknowledged their ownership of this property. He alleged that the Awami League leaders had been holding this property under the guise of BCC ownership.
Eyewitnesses stated that the gate of this park, located at the heart of Barishal city, was first demolished and replaced with a new one. Later, around noon, when the city was almost empty, 5-7 individuals locked the gate and put up a signboard.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, Joydeb Chandra De, said, "I am not aware of this matter," and that the relevant department has not informed him either.
Shawkat Ali, the administrator of Barishal City Corporation (BCC) and Divisional Commissioner, stated, "I have just been made aware of the situation. Necessary actions will be taken in this regard."
One of the stakeholders, Pritam Mukherjee, claimed that the High Court has stated that neither the City Corporation nor the District Commissioner can possess this land. "The BCC did not occupy our land. It was the Awami League leaders in power who seized it under the name of BCC. We have documents that prove this land belongs to us. Hence, we have taken control of the land," he added.
Pritam Mukherjee further said that in 2011, the then Mayor, the late Shawkat Hossain Hiron, wanted to build a hospital on this land. However, his father, Gautam Mukherjee, along with other stakeholders, refused to sell the land. Therefore, in early 2012, BCC suddenly took possession by dumping sand and built the park under its name. He claimed that the High Court had issued an injunction preventing any construction on his land, which was violated.
Messenger/Pantho/Shahed
