So, like, have you heard about the crazy stuff happening at Soharawardy Park in Dhaka? It’s like, totally turned into a hotspot for illegal activities and drug addicts. Day and night, you can find all sorts of shady stuff going on there.
Recently, there was this tragic incident where a Dhaka University student named Samy was brutally attacked and killed at the park. He was a student of the International Relations Department in the 2018-19 academic year and also the Literature and Publication Editor of the AF Rahman Hall student council. Super sad, right?
After Samy’s murder, the authorities have taken some serious decisions regarding Soharawardy Park. The local government, Rural Development, and Cooperative Adviser, Asif Mahmud Sajib, revealed that they are cracking down on illegal shops, shutting down drug trafficking, and ensuring cleanliness in the park through a joint campaign. They’re also installing enough lights and CCTV cameras in the park, monitoring them regularly, setting up a dedicated police box, and imposing a ban on public entry after 8 pm. These decisions were made on Wednesday night.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore the past and present of Soharawardy Park. This park, located in the heart of Dhaka, has a rich history dating back to the Mughal era. It used to be a horse racing ground called Racecourse Maidan. This place holds a significant place in the history of Bangladesh’s creation.
Fast forward to today, the park is home to various landmarks like the Independence Monument, Shikha Chirantan, and the Liberation War Museum. People of all ages visit the park throughout the day, engaging in activities like buying and selling, and returning home in the evening. It’s a bustling hub for drug addicts and traders, as well as a refuge for various criminals.
The other day, I saw a bunch of authorities bulldozing illegal structures near the temple gate at Soharawardy Park. Before the operation, there was no restriction on public entry at the park gate near Dhaka University’s TSC. People were freely coming and going, but the surroundings seemed a bit chaotic.
I had a chat with a middle-aged flower vendor at the park. Hanufa Begum, as she introduced herself, sells flowers to visitors at the park. According to her, there are no restrictions on selling flowers there. She also mentioned that whenever there’s an event at the park, they have to vacate the area for a few days. She shared the struggles of poor people like her being evicted by the city corporation due to the recent murder incident at the park. It’s like, a tough situation for the marginalized folks, you know?
In the aftermath of Samy’s murder, his friend Bayezid shared his account of the incident. He mentioned how they were leaving Ramna Kali Mandir near Soharawardy Park on a motorcycle when they were attacked by another group on motorcycles. The situation escalated quickly when more people arrived on several motorcycles. What started as a minor altercation turned into a violent attack on Samy and his friends, leaving two of them injured.
The police have taken swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. They have arrested three suspects involved in Samy’s murder. The area is under scrutiny, and the police are investigating the crime scene thoroughly.
As for the park management, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ramna Division, Masud Alum, stated that there are 40 Ansar members responsible for security at the park. They conduct occasional operations to maintain order but face challenges due to the park’s history of drug-related activities. The police have arrested three individuals in connection with Samy’s murder and are planning to conduct regular operations in the future. Public entry will be restricted after sunset to ensure safety in the park.
In conclusion, the situation at Soharawardy Park reflects a larger issue of drug abuse and criminal activities in public spaces. The park has become a haven for drug addicts and criminals, leading to conflicts and violence. It’s essential for law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to address these issues and ensure the safety of visitors and residents in the area. So, yeah, things are pretty intense at the park right now, but hopefully, with the authorities’ intervention, we can see some positive changes in the future.
