Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association on Wednesday staged a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka protesting at the illegal occupation and rental of a portion of the building allocated to the organisation.
Following the human chain, demonstrators marched towards the housing and public works ministry and submitted a memorandum to the ministry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, said a BPJA press release.
During the protest, BPJA president AKM Mohsin alleged that Afroza Haque, a resident of the third floor of the building, and her associates had forcefully occupied a portion of the government-allocated building and were unlawfully collecting rent.
He also alleged that the above-mentioned individuals damaged the infrastructure on the building鈥檚 second floor using hammers on the night of April 20.
Afroza allegedly constructed the fourth floor illegally with help from her associate Nizami and his group and rented out the second floor in violation of government rules, the release added.
Earlier, Afroza and her associate Nizami and his group also attempted to occupy the building with the help of the ousted Awami League, Chhatra League and Juba League by putting up a large poster of a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the release added.
BPJA leaders demanded her eviction, cancellation of her allocation and legal action under applicable laws.
Leaders of the Dhaka Union of Journalists, including its president Shahidul Islam, general secretary Khurshid Alam, vice-president Rashedul Haque and treasurer Alomgir Hossain expressed solidarity with the protest.
