Staff Reporter :
Freedom fighter families and slum dwellers have been staging a continuous sit-in in front of the National Press Club for 50 consecutive days since 9 August.
They will observe a symbolic strike on Sunday. Mohammad Abdur Rahim, the convener of the programme and son of a Martyred Freedom Fighter said it during a press conference held at the sit-in site on Saturday.
He said, “We have been holding this 50-day-long sit-in demanding compensation for Kolmilota Bazar and the implementation of the Mirpur Bashantek slum resettlement project, as well as the withdrawal of the order issued by fascist Hasina cancelling the project contract.
Our demand is for nationwide slum resettlement. However, the government has not yet implemented our demands. Instead of providing police security for our movement, authorities are trying to intimidate us to vacate the site.
We are facing threats of arrest, and even our right to hold processions and gatherings is being obstructed.
The Ministry of Land has formed a ‘B-Team’ and is using illegal occupiers in the Bashantek project to hinder our activities.”
Abdur Rahim further said that an ultimatum was given for the government to meet their two demands by 27 September. On the government’s part, it was informed that the Ministry of Land has scheduled a meeting on this issue on Tuesday (30 September).
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) has reportedly advanced the process of compensation payment.
He mentioned that as part of the previously announced program, a full-day strike was planned to be observed on Sunday, from morning to evening.
Senior Joint Convener of the Struggle Council, Advocate Nur Tajin Oishi, said that they have already submitted memorandums to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the land advisers, and the DC of Dhaka, as well as to BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, regarding all corruption in the Ministry of Land.
