Staff Reporter:
Concerns are mounting over the residential environment at the RAJUK Uttara Apartment Project (RUAP) in the capital’s Uttara area, as residents have alleged illegal occupation of public spaces, drug consumption and trafficking, and extortion.
Residents claim that delays in completing key infrastructure facilities and notices declaring parts of the project complete despite unfinished work have created a lack of proper supervision, allowing groups to engage in various illegal activities.
On Friday morning, more than a hundred residents staged a human chain opposite Gate No. 6 of RUAP, protesting the alleged illegal occupation of different parts of the residential area, extortion and drug-related activities. They called on the relevant authorities to intervene and restore a safe and orderly living environment.
Residents participating in the protest alleged that groups of local and outsider youths gather at different spots in the residential area after sunset, where drug consumption continues until midnight. They also claimed that drug trafficking was expanding in the area with the alleged support of a group involved in such activities.
Mohammad Jahangir Alam, a retired government official, said some people were attempting to occupy walking spaces and take over a waste treatment facility to establish a market.
“They want to occupy our walking areas and take over the waste treatment plant here to set up a market. We cannot allow this to happen,” he said.
He further alleged that some people from both inside and outside RUAP were attempting to engage in extortion and illegal occupation.
“We do not want any extortion or land grabbing here. We will not accept any illegal structures or occupation of public spaces,” he added.
The protesters demanded an end to the illegal occupation of playgrounds, green spaces, roads and footpaths within the residential project. They also urged the authorities to take effective action against drug trafficking and extortion.
In a statement issued by the residents, it was said that RAJUK had undertaken the project to provide housing for low- and middle-income people. However, the project remains incomplete even after an additional 10 years beyond its scheduled completion period, the statement said.
According to the statement, several important facilities, including the commercial complex, community centre, parking building, swimming pool and gymnasium complex, have yet to be completed. Residents also claimed that some flats in different buildings remain unallocated.
Nilofar Jahan Bobby, an organiser of Nisarga Nilima, a senior citizens’ organisation at RUAP, said residents wanted the government housing project to be free from illegal occupation and extortion.
“We live in a government residential area. Illegal occupation and extortion are taking place here. We do not want these activities. We want RUAP to be a suitable place to live,” she said.
Agriculturist Shaheen Anwar, a RUAP resident, said residents had united to protest against the alleged illegal activities.
“We have collectively taken a stand against these illegal activities. We will not tolerate any wrongdoing,” he said.
Another resident, Manik Manobik, alleged that some residents were attempting to occupy different areas and roads under political patronage.
“Some people who live in RUAP are trying to occupy different places and roads under political patronage. Markets are set up in the morning and again in the afternoon. Drug-related gatherings take place near areas where people congregate. These activities must not be allowed to continue,” he said.
Residents called on RAJUK and other relevant authorities to evict illegal occupants, stop drug-related activities and investigate the allegations of extortion. They also urged the authorities to complete the remaining infrastructure work as soon as possible to ensure a safe, orderly and liveable residential environment.
