FF families continue sit-in seeking return of Kalmalata market

Staff Reporter :

Families of martyred freedom fighters (FF) have continued their indefinite sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club, demanding the return of Kalmalata Market at Bijoy Smarani and the Mirpur Vashantek Slum Rehabilitation Project along with due compensation.

Speaking under the banner of Basti Punarbasan O Shaheed Paribarer Kkhati Puron Adai Sangram Parishad, Advocate Nur Taj Ara Oishi, granddaughter of martyred freedom fighter Abdul Kader, alleged that both properties remain under illegal occupation due to corruption, land grabbing, and administrative negligence.

She claimed that Kalmalata Market has been occupied through collusion involving former Dhaka North mayor Atiqul Islam, the North City Corporation, the local administration, and the Ministry of Local Government.

Similarly, she alleged that the Vashantek Slum Rehabilitation Project is under the illegal control of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, retired colonel Faruk Khan, and others with support from the Ministry of Land.

“Despite years of appeals and legal steps, no resolution has been made even after the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, 2024,” Oishi said. “We now call upon the Chief Adviser and the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure justice.”

Abdur Rahim, son of Abdul Kader, said the interim government’s Chief Adviser had directed the Local Government Ministry, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Home Affairs (Public Security Division), and the Inspector General of Police in September 2024 to take action and report back.

Following this, the Ministry of Land formed a seven-member committee in December 2024, instructing it to submit a report within three months. “Seven months have passed, but there has been no progress. The report hasn’t been submitted, the fate of slum dwellers remains unchanged only the fortunes of bureaucrats and advisers are improving,” Rahim said.