Md. Atowar Rahman, Nilphamari :
Archaeological Department and district police are in odd situation now over partial damage of historical ‘Nil Kuthi’ made of lime and bricks (Bangla: Chun, Surki) at Notkhana Village of Polashbari Union in Sadarupazila which was declared as proposed archaeological site by the authority concerned one year ago.
Day labourers engaged by the law enforcing agency recently dismantled a portion of the building to collect bricks for constructing Sale Center of Police Women Welfare Association in the town. Chairman of Polashbari Union Parishad (UP) Mamtaj Ali Pramanik said, on December 24 morning, some day labourers sent by district police started dismantling around two century old ‘Nil Kuthi’ three kilometers away from district town though concerned department declared it as proposed archaeological site a year ago and hung a relevant signboard for information.”
“Local villagers objected but labourers started altercation and a police team reached there and concerned sub inspector informed that as per directive, bricks were being collected to make sales center of police women welfare association,” said UP chairman further.
“Finally we managed to stop the work by persuading police but by this time, labourers damaged a portion of structure’s roof by separating around 250 bricks,” he added.
According to history book entitled ‘NilphamarirItihas’ published by Bangla Academy on July, 2018 and written by Jahangir Alam Sarker containing brief history of the area, it is learnt that the said ‘nil kuthi’ was established in 1845 by British indigo traders during colonial era.
Traders used it as torture center to punish farmers who refused to cultivate indigo as were paid poorly, revealed the book.
Local historian ATM Mozibar Rahman said, “We’re stunned to know that district police sent men to collect bricks by damaging 175 years old historical structure to make a sales center.”
While contacted Additional SP Abul Bashar Mohammad Atiqur Rahman said, we were unaware that the old building is a proposed archaeological site as concerned department did not informed us officially though the land on which it is situated is owned by district police. “The matter is settled now as instantly stopped dismantling which caused as a result of misunderstanding, he also said.
Archaeological Department’s Regional Director in Bogra Office Nahid Sultana said, they hung a signboard beside ‘nil kuthi’ a year ago describing it as proposed archaeological site which disappeared for unknown reason which we reset on Saturday.
Archaeological Department and district police are in odd situation now over partial damage of historical ‘Nil Kuthi’ made of lime and bricks (Bangla: Chun, Surki) at Notkhana Village of Polashbari Union in Sadarupazila which was declared as proposed archaeological site by the authority concerned one year ago.
Day labourers engaged by the law enforcing agency recently dismantled a portion of the building to collect bricks for constructing Sale Center of Police Women Welfare Association in the town. Chairman of Polashbari Union Parishad (UP) Mamtaj Ali Pramanik said, on December 24 morning, some day labourers sent by district police started dismantling around two century old ‘Nil Kuthi’ three kilometers away from district town though concerned department declared it as proposed archaeological site a year ago and hung a relevant signboard for information.”
“Local villagers objected but labourers started altercation and a police team reached there and concerned sub inspector informed that as per directive, bricks were being collected to make sales center of police women welfare association,” said UP chairman further.
“Finally we managed to stop the work by persuading police but by this time, labourers damaged a portion of structure’s roof by separating around 250 bricks,” he added.
According to history book entitled ‘NilphamarirItihas’ published by Bangla Academy on July, 2018 and written by Jahangir Alam Sarker containing brief history of the area, it is learnt that the said ‘nil kuthi’ was established in 1845 by British indigo traders during colonial era.
Traders used it as torture center to punish farmers who refused to cultivate indigo as were paid poorly, revealed the book.
Local historian ATM Mozibar Rahman said, “We’re stunned to know that district police sent men to collect bricks by damaging 175 years old historical structure to make a sales center.”
While contacted Additional SP Abul Bashar Mohammad Atiqur Rahman said, we were unaware that the old building is a proposed archaeological site as concerned department did not informed us officially though the land on which it is situated is owned by district police. “The matter is settled now as instantly stopped dismantling which caused as a result of misunderstanding, he also said.
Archaeological Department’s Regional Director in Bogra Office Nahid Sultana said, they hung a signboard beside ‘nil kuthi’ a year ago describing it as proposed archaeological site which disappeared for unknown reason which we reset on Saturday.
