Eid-ul Azha in Sylhet: Cattle market on school ground sparks protests

Despite protests against it, local administration in Sylhet has permitted a temporary cattle market on the ground of an educational institute for Eid-ul-Azha, and the lessee has already started setting the haat.

The school is located in Lakkatora area of Sylhet Sadar upazila, right at the edge of Sylhet city. It was established in 2013 under a project to establish seven secondary schools in metropolitan city.

"As per the recommendation of the upazila council, we asked the district administration and they permission for the school ground," said Kazi Mahua Mamtaz, upazila nirbahi officer of Sylhet Sadar.

School headteacher Md Zahur Ahmed claimed that neither the council nor the administration asked them.

"The cattle haat will destroy the school compound. I have already contacted higher authorities and urged the upazila chairman to reconsider the decision," he added.

Moreover, hundreds of trees were planted on the school ground on July 18, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which may get damaged, he said.

The headteacher also submitted a letter to the district administration in this regard.

But it is not only a matter of taking consent, but also a serious violation of the act that protects playgrounds, open space, gardens and natural water reservoirs of the country.

As per the section 5 of the act 36 (2000), leasing, renting or using such spaces for any other purpose is completely prohibited and a person may face up to five years in jail or Tk 50,000 fine or both for breaking the law.

Citing the act, advocate Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam Sahin, former president of Sylhet District Bar Association, said, "Most educational institutes don't have playgrounds... protecting each and every should be of highest concern. Once they set haat, they will definitely try to make it a tradition."

Jahangir Kabir Ahmed, deputy director of Divisional Secondary Education Office, said, "This is not a good practice to lease out school grounds for commercial purposes. We are also sending a letter to our higher authorities to take necessary steps."

About the decision of permitting the haat, the UNO said, "We have no other option where we could maintain health safety and set up a temporary haat. We understand the market might damage the compound, but the lessee is bound to repair it to its original state. If it was not a pandemic situation, we wouldn't have permitted it."

Mentionable, the administration had permitted two more grounds of educational complexes -- Murari Chand College field and Alia Madrasha field -- to Sylhet City Corporation. Amid protests, the city authorities decided not to set up haat there.

Meanwhile protesting the decision, a human chain was formed on the school ground yesterday, organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Sylhet chapter).

The Daily Star could not get in touch with the deputy commissioner of Sylhet for comments, despite repeated attempts.