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Stop building parking infrastructure diminishing wall of Lalbagh Fort

One of the most prominent Mughal heritages of Bangladesh, Lalbagh Fort, has become victim of encroachment.  Car parking infrastructure is being built by diminishing Fort wall. It is against Antiquities Act. Though we can observe reluctance of government to protect heritages for the sake of money, but they are being able to build a parking infrastructure with a high expenditure. We demand to rebuild the wall of the Fort and to stop building of parking infrastructure. At the same time the fort should be brought back in its previous condition. On 27th June 2015, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (B.I.P), Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust and other 8 organizations jointly organized a human chain with the above mentioned demand.

Speakers said that, the action of building car parking infrastructure is a shameful one. Main design of the heritage has always been prioritized throughout the world to protect those. But in this case the main design is being violated. The action is against Antiquities Act 1968. This car parking facility will cause damage by honking and pollution. It will also increase traffic jam. From the human chain protestors demanded punishment of those responsible for the action and they also announced to continue their protest until their demand is fulfilled.

Abu Naser Khan, Chairman, Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) chaired the human chain and it was moderated by Atiq Morshed, program coordinator, POBA. Mohidul Haque Khan, former General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), MD. Ariful Islam, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (B.I.P), Amir Hossain, Chairman, Green Mind Society, Maruf Hossain, National Advocacy Officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, Aminul Islam Sujon, Program Coordinator,  Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, Engineer Sajjadur Rashid, Nazrul Islam, Md. Selim, Hazi Aleya Parvin Ranju, Councilor (24 no ward), Dhaka South City Corporation, Ifma Hossain, Seretary General, Peace, Md. Musa, Chairman, Debidas Ghat Somaj Kollyan Sangsad, Md. Ashikur Rahman Ovi, President, International Tourism Students Confederation, Burhanuddin Ahmed, Poribesh Unnoyon Society etc were present as speakers in the human chain.