Demolish illegal structures on Central Shaheed Minar's land

The High Court yesterday directed the authorities concerned of the government and Dhaka University to demolish all structures, excluding a grave, located on the land of Central Shaheed Minar in the city in 72 hours.

The court also observed that no structures should have been on the land of the Shaheed Minar, as it was set up to maintain the spirit of the 1952 Language Movement and pay tribute to its heroes.

The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the verdict after holding a final hearing on a four-year-old writ petition filed by Prof Muntassir Mamoon, a teacher of Dhaka University.

Petitioner's counsel Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that the HC in 2010 following another writ petition moved by him had issued eight directives upon the government to protect sanctity and dignity of the Central Shaheed Minar.

It had directed the authorities to set up a museum at any side of the Shaheed Minar and take effective measures so that no antisocial activities take place there, he said.

Manzill also said he will submit a petition to the HC seeking its further directive on the authorities to set up the museum after the structures are demolished.

Prof Muntassir had filed the writ petition with the HC in February 2012 saying that a vested group has reportedly occupied the land of the Shaheed Minar for a mazar, centring the grave, and was planning to construct a high-rise building which may damage the sanctity of the memorial.

The HC then ordered the authorities to demolish the structures, but they did not fully implement the directive, Manzill added.