The previous government's tenure was marred by political vendetta in every aspect. Just because former president Zaiur Rahman had a plot in Dakshin Khan, a populated area in Dhaka, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation(DNCC) refused to build any kind of necessary roads there.
It has been reported that there is a plot at Dakshin Khan Chalaban Army Society which is somehow associated with Ziaur Rahman. That’s why DNCC canceled all kinds of development projects in the last 16 years.
In 2018, almost 18 unions, including Uttar Khan and Dakshin Khan, were integrated into DNCC. Since then, development projects worth of BDT 25,000 crore have been ongoing in these areas. Despite that, no development projects have been implemented in the army society area where Zia’s plot is located.
Local residents reported that many efforts were made to make sure that developing the drainage system takes priority within the Army Society. They also tried to make sure that the authority tried to develop the roads in that area. However, while the other projects in Uttar Khan and Dakshin Khan were progressing according to plan, the development plans for the Army Society were abruptly canceled during the final moments of the previous Awami League government.
DNCC is giving no explanation regarding the matter. It has been reported that the authority has canceled all projects related to drainage systems and road development just because the area had a plot associated with Ziaur Rahman.
Local residents have accused the Awami League government and former mayor Atiqul Islam of carrying out a vendetta by turning a piece of land belonging to Ziaur Rahman, located in an underdeveloped area like Dakshin Khan, into a drain. The former mayor Atik and the former MP Habib Hassan visited the army society a lot. Two unauthorized washing plants were set up in the area where Ziaur Rahman's plot is located. Harmful chemical-laden water is continuously being discharged from these plants, flooding the roads in the area. Despite a report titled "Chhalaban is being submerged in drainage water" published in Bangladesh Pratidin on February 19, the relevant authorities have taken no action.
It is noteworthy that Ziaur Rahman, along with former army officer General (Retd.), Mustafizur Rahman, Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Hasanat Abdullah and others bought a plot which is known as the “Army Society”. Even though other army officers sold their plots, Begum Khaleda Zia never sold it.
bd-pratidin/Rafid
