Chattogram Shishu Park closed, land handed over to defence ministry 

The district administration today closed the Chattogram Shishu Park next to the Circuit House in the port city and handed over the land to the Ministry of Defence.

Under the supervision of the deputy commissioner, Chattogram district administration Executive Magistrates Nu Mong Marma Mong and Rakibul Islam carried out an operation to close the children's park. Sajia Taher, executive officer of Chattogram Cantonment, later took charge of the park.

A notice was then hung on the park's gates, reading, "Property of the Ministry of Defence. No unauthorised entry. By order of the military estates officer, Eastern Zone, Chattogram Cantonment."

Nu Mong Marma Mong said, "The land belongs to the Ministry of Defence. After it was found that Chattogram City Corporation had not followed the rules for land usage. The park was closed and the land was returned to the respective authorities."

For the past few years, an organisation called 'Aparajeya Bangla' has been agitating, seeking removal of the park and Zia Memorial Museum from the Circuit House area.

The group wants the park and museum to be removed from the Circuit House area for its historical significance during the Liberation War. They demanded the construction of a Liberation War monument at the location and for it to be kept open as a public space.

The first flag of an independent Bangladesh was flown by freedom fighters in front of the Circuit House in Chattogram on 17 December 1971. This same location marked the start of the Liberation War's Victory Fair. The valiant freedom fighters often gather here to commemorate their triumph.