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The Jhenaidah district administration has halted the demolition of a structure dedicated to Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman, a national hero. This decision came after widespread public criticism, sparked by a report in The Daily Star detailing the removal of the monument. Workers involved in dismantling the structure have ceased their activities, and relevant government offices, which had previously remained silent and unacknowledged responsibility, are now addressing the situation.

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Before Daily Star published the report, I was unaware that the structure was a monument to Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman, as its appearance did not make that clear. I later learned that construction had been halted shortly after it began following objections from local residents. However, as soon as I found out that it depicted Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman, I took immediate steps to stop the demolition.

Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Md Noman Hossain stated that he was unaware the structure was a monument to Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman until The Daily Star published its report. He explained that construction had been halted earlier due to local objections, but upon learning of its dedication to the hero, immediate steps were taken to stop the demolition. Hossain added that a policy decision has been made to install a full-fledged sculpture of Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman in an appropriate location with due honor, following consultations with freedom fighters, civil society members, and the public.

However, family members of Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman and civil society representatives alleged that the controversy was deliberately manufactured to divert attention from the core issue. Officials from the Jhenaidah Roads and Highways Department and the Jhenaidah Municipality provided conflicting information regarding the demolition process. The Roads and Highways Department stated they were not contacted before the demolition, while the municipality denied carrying out the demolition, despite the site being part of a highway expansion project. The land belongs to the zila parishad, and the municipality had constructed the monument.

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We have made a policy decision that after consulting freedom fighters, members of civil society, and people from all walks of life, a full-fledged sculpture of Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman will be installed at an appropriate location with due honour.

The family confirmed the structure was indeed a sculpture of their uncle, calling the demolition a destructive act. They were present at the inauguration ceremony of its construction, invited by the then municipal authorities. The situation remains unclear regarding who initiated and carried out the demolition, with the matter reported to the district administrator.

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It is indeed a sculpture of my uncle, Bir Sreshtha Hamidur Rahman. Demolishing it was a destructive act.