Workers were digging hundreds of holes in the ground yesterday to install bamboo poles for erecting the pandal, where children from Dhanmondi, Kathalbagan and Kalabagan used to play every day. Cricket and football matches also took place in the ground regularly. But since Tuesday, the playground has been virtually taken over by workers, who have piled up bamboo poles there.

About 50,000 activists of the BCL will join the two-day council beginning on April 3, said Liaqat Shikder, president of the student body.

He said they were refused a space at Paltan Maidan for the council.

"We then asked the government to give us an alternative space but it did not. So, we took permission of Dhanmondi Club authorities," he added.

But DCC officials said Dhanmondi Club has no authority to rent the field out to anyone. "The playground belongs to the DCC and only it can rent it out. Dhanmondi Club itself is illegally situated on this playground," said a top official of the DCC requesting anonymity.

Following a case filed in 2004, the HC ordered the then industries minister, who had organised a Boishakhi Mela (fair) on the ground, to immediately remove all materials from there and stop the fair. It also asked the DCC to take steps to protect the playground for sports only. The DCC then stopped issuing permission for events other than sports.

The case was filed by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), under the playground protection laws.

President of Dhanmondi Club Iliasur Rahman Babul said he has rented out the playground under political pressure. "I had no other alternative but to do so."

Residents of the areas have reacted sharply and said political leaders should have thought about children who use the playground.

One resident, Suraiya Begum, said, "You see Kalabagan playground is often rented out to different organisations, now they have rented out Dhanmondi playground. Where shall our children play?"

Kamal Majumdar Swapan, a resident of Kathalbagan, said hundreds of youngsters are frequently deprived of their right to use the playground due to some "greedy officials" in-charge of the playground.

"Every time there is a similar event on the playground and the entire pitch becomes potholed, exposing children to serious hazards," Swapan said.

President of Bapa Mohidul Haque Khan condemned allowing events other than sports on the playground and said Bapa had formally requested all authorities concerned not to allow this.

DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka is now on a visit to Spain. Acting Mayor Hossain Mollah said he would look into the matter urgently.