Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan on Wednesday said the ongoing drive to reclaim footpaths from illegal occupation will continue, with no compromise with those who obstruct the operation, in the interest of ensuring smooth movement for city residents.
“The eviction drive to clear footpaths will continue to ensure smooth movement for city residents. The drive to reclaim the footpaths will be carried out even if it means walking over my dead body to clear the way for the people,” he said.
The DNCC administrator made the remarks while inspecting the site of an attack on DNCC vehicles, police and journalists during an eviction drive in front of Hope Market at Mirpur-10 in the capital earlier in the day.
“Those who have created anarchy and attacked DNCC personnel, police and journalists during the eviction drive will not be spared,” he said.
Safiqul said DNCC has been conducting drives against illegal occupation and businesses operating on footpaths to ensure that city residents can walk freely.
He said Wednesday’s operation at Mirpur-10 was part of the ongoing drive and alleged that the attack was carried out at the instigation of people who had occupied the footpaths and their associates.
The attackers later fled after facing resistance from local residents, the administrator said.
He said DNCC and police will file separate cases against those involved in the attack and that those found involved will be arrested following investigation.
Safiqul also alleged that some people deliberately set fire to a mosque earlier in the day in an attempt to create disorder.
He said the government will not tolerate any conspiracy or attempt to create disorder in the interest of protecting public welfare.
The administrator thanked the residents of Mirpur for supporting the eviction operation, saying the day’s events showed that many residents want the footpaths to remain free of illegal occupation.
“If anyone again comes forward, at the instigation of others, to support illegal occupation of the footpaths, legal action will also be taken against them,” he said.
Safiqul urged residents to continue supporting DNCC’s eviction operations, saying they have been conducting the drives over the past several days in response to public demand.
“We are working according to the demands of the people, and it is our moral responsibility to do so. Therefore, our activities will continue out of a sense of responsibility. We seek your cooperation,” he said.
Referring to the corporation’s efforts to improve the environment around Mirpur-10, the administrator said an eviction drive was conducted two days ago beneath the footbridge at the Mirpur-10 roundabout.
Following the drive, trees were planted there to create a better environment and facilitate pedestrian movement, he said.
Safiqul said DNCC has adopted a similar plan for other areas under its jurisdiction to ensure free movement for residents.
He expressed his commitment to stand by DNCC officials who regularly conduct eviction drives to serve city residents.
Asked about street vendors, the administrator said DNCC previously held discussions and public meetings with hawkers and reached a decision that they would not sit on footpaths.
He said the city corporation issued 204 registration cards to hawkers to facilitate their temporary business at alternative locations.
“But after a few days, they did not keep their word. They insist that they have to sit here, but this is a passage for the people. They will not be allowed to sit here,” Safiqul said.
During the inspection, local political leaders and residents of Mirpur chanted slogans in support of the DNCC administrator and expressed support for the corporation’s efforts to keep footpaths free from illegal occupation.
They also assured DNCC of their cooperation in its efforts to reclaim the footpaths for pedestrians.