The sub-jail that failed to start in 30 years

Decision to turn Sakhipur prison a safe home for children uncertain

Mirza Shakil

The dilapidated sub-jail in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail has not been used since it was built nearly 30 years ago. PHOTO: Mirza Shakil

The land of an unused sub-jail in Sakhipur upazila is being grabbed by the vested quarters as the prison could not start functioning in around 30 years of its completion.

Work for the sub-jail on 2.23 acres of land in the municipal area started in 1985 and construction of the structure, built to accommodate 25 prisoners, was completed in 1988 at a cost of Tk 1 crore.

The activities of the sub-jail, however, could not be started due to political unrest. It has not been used since then.

The main iron gate of the jail has broken up due to rust. The wooden windows of the main building gradually rotted and collapsed. Electric fittings and the water tank has been stolen. Moreover, the jail area has turned into a jungle due to growth of grass and weeds for years.

Wild plants have grown along the walls of the sub-jail due to lack of maintenance. PHOTO: Mirza Shakil

A part of the building, constructed for the assistant superintendent of the jail, has been occupied by a local youth club and the imam of a local mosque, locals said.

The rest of the building is being used as office of the local microbus owners' association, while a part of the land is being used as a stand for CNG-run three-wheelers, they added.

A leader of the local microbus and three-wheeler drivers' association Mohammad Shahjahan Ali Miah claimed that they have been using a part of the land of the abandoned jail after taking permission from the local administration.

A part of the field of the jail is being used as a market, while several owners of adjacent houses have also been using the land for different purposes after grabbing it.

A local kindergarten is using the office room of the jail as its office. School owner Fazlul Haque said he has been using the abandoned room temporarily for public interest with the permission from the local administration. "I shall leave the place anytime the authorities ask," he added.

A section of land of the sub-jail has been grabbed to set up shops. PHOTO: Mirza Shakil

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mousumi Sarkar Rakhi said they were investigating the matter.

"If anyone is found to have occupied the land of the jail illegally, steps will be taken soon to remove them from there," she added.

The then work assistant of Public Works Department (PWD) Mohammad Tohiz Uddin looked after the jail for 14 years.

He said Tangail PWD, on behalf of the home ministry, handed over the unused jail to Sakhipur Upazila Social Welfare Department on May 26 in 2005 for making it a safe home for children.

Upazila Social Welfare Officer (USWO) Mohammad Mansur Ahmed said they have yet to get any directive from the government so far for turning the unused jail to a safe home for children.

"We have requested the higher authorities to get demarcation of the jail land done for taking it under the control of the social welfare department," he said.

"We believe the grabbers will go away willingly when steps are taken to turn the unused sub-jail to a safe home for children, or for any other social welfare purpose," he added.

• Courtesy: Daily Star/ May 21, 2018