There are about half a hundred parks in the capital to relieve tiredness in a peaceful environment, but their scenarios are quite different at night.

Most parks are occupied by drug addicts and peddlers, sex workers, muggers and transgenders when evening approaches. So, people are afraid to enter the parks after dusk.

After the evening, some open parks, including Panthokunjo Park, Osmani Udyan and Suhrawardy Udyan, are occupied by criminals.

Suhrawardy Udyan is the most historically important among several parks in the capital. However, there are various crimes going on day and night around the historical park. At dusk, drug addicts hang out there. In addition, sex workers floating around the park at night are engaged in prostitution.

Shariful Islam, who often came to visit Suhrawardy Udyan with his friends, said there is a lack of adequate security inside the park. If not, how can people consume drugs. When these situations come to sight, common people fear to enter there.

“People from different parts of the capital come here. They also have to face bad conditions due to these reasons. Entertainment spaces should be like entertainment spaces. Where people will sit freely, chat and talk. Here’s the opposite. In the evening, one has to walk with fear when entering the park,” he added.

While visiting Suhrawardy Udyan on Monday, this correspondent found that drug addicts are consuming drugs in broad daylight. A vast space of the park is occupied by floating people. However, many people travel through this road through the TSC gate of the park every day.

Sabbir Ahmed, who does business next to Chabir Haat in Suhrawardy Udyan, said after corona there has been an increase in drug addicts’ hangouts, theft, mugging and fraud in Suhrawardy Udyan. Thieves, robbers and fraudsters have made this park their safe havens.

Nur Mohammad, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said, “We are arresting many people who have consumed drugs in Suhrawardy Udyan area. A criminal is a criminal. Be it a university student or anyone, there is no chance of getting away with crimes. A police drive against them is underway.”

In the evening, floating sex workers and transgenders were seen standing beside Panthokunjo Park adjacent to the Bangla Motor side. In the park surrounded by greenery, there is open prostitution and hangouts of drug addicts.

Locals said anti-social activities continue till dawn in the parks. Mugging also occurred frequently. People are afraid to move in and around the parks as there is not enough light.

Assuring the renovation of the parks soon, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said the parks will be designed in such a way that they get an aesthetic environment.

“We can start the work soon. We hope to start the renovation of Panthokunjo and Osmani Udyan by this year.”