The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association organized a human chain programme in front of Barisal Aswani Kumar Hall on Monday morning demanding steps against earth filling, encroachment of Rakhal Babur Pukur, a historical pond in the heart of the city.

The gathering was presided over by Advocate Suvash Chandra Bipro Bedanti, district coordinator of BELA and addressed by Advocates Talukdar Md. Yunus, Abdul Hye Mahbub, Hiron Kumar Das Mithu, Freedom Fighter Akkas Hossain, Poet S Ali Muhammad, human rights activist Dr. Syed Habibur Rahman, NGO organizer Shuvangkar Chakroborti, Kazi Enayet Hossain Shiplu, politician Mahbubul Alam Mazumdar,Comrade A K Azad, journalist Anisur Rahman Swapan and female rights activists Rabeya Begum.

The speakers expressing their solidarity with the demands and attempts of BELA condemned the role of Barisal City Corporation and administration in saving this historical pond.

It may be mentioned that a Barisal court on last Thursday issued show cause notice and statuesque order against BCC for stopping earth filling of this historical pond of the city.

Court and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association sources said that BELA lodged civil suit on May 24, 2006 against earth filling and encroaching historical Rakhal Babu's pond at Fakir Bari road of the city center by some vested corners and Barisal City Corporation.

Barisal sadar upazila senior assistant judge court issued notice against the encroachers and BCC officials. Nevertheless, the opponent side ignoring the public interest continued their mischievous activities and so BELA appealed for imposing temporary injunction against the opponents.

The court after hearing the prayer of the appellant of the case issued show cause notice against the opponent including BCC officials and ordered to maintain statuesque abstaining from any kinds of filling of that historical pond.