Staff Reporter :Chandrima Udyan at Sher-e- Bangla Nagar has become a den of anti-social activities discouraging the city dwellers from visiting the place to breathe fresh air. Even during daytime anti-social elements are often found roaming in the Chandrima Udyan area. During a recent visit to the park it was found that drug addicts, sex workers and their pimps were moving around the park, which is located to the north of the Sangsad Bhaban and the east of Prime Minister’s residence.A number of visitors talking to this correspondent said that that they would think twice before visit to the park in future as it was no more a safe place. Aminul Islam of Mirpur, who was with his wife and children, said: “I never thought of the presence of any anti-social element in the area. Had I known about it, I would not have brought my family .” he said.The park has added importance as former president and founder of the BNP Ziaur Rahman was buried there. A woman , who has been living with her family in the area identified herself as an employee of the Public Works Department (PWD), the authority which is responsible to look after the Chandrima Udyan.”I am a staff of the PWD and work in the complex of the grave of Zia. I live in the park area in a small shed ,” she said.Meanwhile, the Crescent Lake and the entire park and the pond have started spreading foul smell in absence of proper maintenance, some visitors told this correspondent. “After the sun sets, the number of drug addicts , floating sex workers and pimps increase as if they take control of the area,” a staff of the PWD who requested not to be identified said. There are allegations against a section of security men on duty in the area that they extort money from sex workers and drug peddlers. But some members of ansar refuting the allegation said: “We are on duty round the clock to prevent criminal activities.”A team of about two dozen of Ansar members are on duty to ensure security of visitors in the park, he said. When contacted a senior official of the PWD said that he was not aware of any illegal structure in the park area. If there is any illegal structure, he said, it would be removed soon.
