DHAKA: Fronting the banner of Awami Swechhasebak League, some people have occupied a patch of Dhaka University land and set up their office near Dhaka Medical College.

They have erected a bamboo-fenced corrugated tin-shed office on the university land without any approval from anyone, sources said.  

The sources alleged that those who operate the office have unleashed a reign of terror and collecting toll in and around the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) campus.   

A spot visit by the banglanews24.com.bd correspondent found the office opposite to the DMCH main gate. A signboard hangs after the name of Ward 56, Dhaka Medical College Unit of Swechhasebak League.

Local people and shopkeepers said the structure was erected a few months ago, but the signboard was hung Sunday.

Another structure has been raised near the office and a shopkeeper, on condition of anonymity, said that it would be the office of Awami Juba League, another front organization of Awami League.

When contacted, Swechhasebak League DMC unit general secretary Shakhawat Hossain told banglanews24.com.bd that they did take approval from the DU authorities. “As the land was lying vacant, we erected the office,” he said.  

Sakhawat, however, denied the allegation of extortion or support brokers of DMCH.

General secretary of the Ward 56 Swechhasebak League Rahat Bepary told banglanews24.com.bd that they did not approve the construction of the office. “We don’t know anything about it,” he said.  

“There is no question of setting up the office. Even the formation of any committee was not approved for lack of leaders,” Bepary added.

He informed that there was an initiative to set up an office which could not be implemented for lack of approval from the university authorities.

A source said the DMC unit of Swechhasebak League was formed with some medical employees, brokers, traders and children of the employees.

Sources said the office has been erected to keep a stronghold on the DMCH and many of the office users were involved in drug dealings.

When contacted, Proctor of Dhaka University AKM Saiful Islam told banglanews24.com.bd that he was not aware of the office. “Question does not arise allowing any party to set up such an office on our land,” he said.

BDST: 1501 HRS. AUG 17, 2010.