Call to review vested property return act immediately

25 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Some eminent personalities yesterday called on the government to review the Vested Property Return (amended) Act-2009 immediately in order to establish a liberal-democratic and secular Bangladesh and ensure equal rights for all. At a press conference, they also called for immediate steps to resolve all vested property-related problems in the country. The Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Sammilita Samajik Andolon, Orpito Sampatti Ain Protirodh Andolon (Enemy Property Law Resistance Movement), HDRC, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) and Nijera Kori (NK) organised the press conference on 'Statement of citizen society and victims of the Vested Property Return (amended) Act' at the National Press Club. Noted economist Prof Abul Barakat said around 12 lakh Hindu households have been directly affected by the vested (enemy) property act in the country form 1965 to 2006 and these families have lost their 26 lakh acres of lands. Terming the act 'black', Nijera Kari Executive Director Khusi Kabir said there is no such act in any civilised society across the world. She also demanded amendment to the act. Reading out a written statement, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, general secretary of the Orpito Sampatti Ain Protirodh Andolon, placed a six-point demand. The demands include setting out the definition of vested property, issuing gazette notification of vested properties in accordance with the census list, and forming tribunal at district level.