College playground occupied

A large portion of a college playground in the town has been occupied by shanties and shops for around four years, depriving the college students and local children of a place to play. 

The college, Haji Kashem Ali College, in the town's Patgodam area was established in 2002 on 4.33 acres of land, including a 3.30-acre playground, college sources said.

The college, yet to be taken under Monthly Payment Order (MPO), has 200 students and a staff of 33, including 25 teachers.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found that there are about 250 shanties, shops and rickshaw garages around the college ground.

A portion of the ground is being used for dumping garbage of Ward No-18 of the municipality for four years, ignoring the repeated requests of the college authorities to stop the practice, locals said.

Principal AKM Rezaul Quibria Akanda Hiru said they informed the mayor about the matter several times, but he did not take steps in this regard.

“We also informed the deputy commissioner and police on various occasions, but the ground is yet to be freed from occupation,” the principal added.

The playground has become a spot for drug users, but the college authorities cannot do anything about it, Rezaul said.

Police conducted several drives in the area, but the menace remains as the drug addicts have not been evicted from the area, college sources said.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Md Kamrul Islam said regular drives will be conducted against drug users in the college area.

“We sometimes dump garbage of Ward No-18 on the college ground when we cannot reach the dumping spot on the other side of the bridge due to traffic jam,” said Azizul Islam, a trolley driver of the municipality.  

Redoy Miah, a first year student of the college, said they cannot use the college playground as it has been occupied for years.

Hafiza Akhter, a student of the same year, said sports and games are co-curricular activities, but students are being deprived of such facilities.

Mayor Ekramul Haque Titu said he was informed about the matter. He suggested this correspondent to talk to local ward commissioner Jamal Hossain Rose in this regard.

Two workers are dumping rubbish. PHOTOP: STAR

Rose said garbage was dumped on the college ground for a few days to fill it up as it was damaged by rain two years ago, but that has totally stopped now.

“I also asked the college authorities to construct a wall to protect the ground from being grabbed, but no wall has yet been constructed,” Rose said, adding that he will help the college authorities if they take initiative to remove the illegal structures on the college ground.