Dhaka South City Corporation does not know who demolished Shahbagh’s “Projonmo Chottor.” Even the Ministry of Housing and Public Works remains unaware. However, police claim that these two institutions had previously discussed the demolition.
No official statement has been issued regarding who demolished the structure in the darkness of Saturday night.
Eyewitnesses reported that a bulldozer was brought in late Saturday night, and several people destroyed the installation. By morning, no one was seen at the site.
An officer from Shahbagh Police Station stated that, a few days ago, they were formally informed by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Dhaka South City Corporation about plans to demolish the structure and build a new one. However, the police do not know who carried out the demolition on Saturday night.
On Sunday afternoon, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Faruq Ahmed, told Times of Bangladesh, “I know nothing about the demolition of Projonmo Chottor.”
Despite multiple attempts to reach Dhaka South City Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Md. Zahirul Islam, he did not respond.
However, the corporation’s public relations officer, Md. Rasel Rahman, told Times of Bangladesh, “Projonmo Chottor was not demolished by the city corporation.”
On February 5, 2013, a movement began when bloggers protested the life sentence of war criminal Quader Mollah, demanding his execution. This movement soon turned into a youth uprising.
“Shahbagh Square” gained global recognition as hundreds of thousands gathered there, uniting the nation in the spirit of the Liberation War. Later, the site became known as “Projonmo Chottor” (Generation Square).
For years, Projonmo Chottor has been a venue for various movements.