Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday expressed surprise that a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) footpath eviction drive in his constituency was launched without consulting him, saying alternative arrangements should be made for hawkers before such operations.
“I am surprised that such a step was taken without informing the local Member of Parliament. I should have been engaged as the local MP in the process to find out an effective solution before launching the footpath clearing drive in the Mirpur area. I, too, have a responsibility in this matter, and I could have been involved,” he said on his verified Facebook page.
Shafiqur said an optimal and effective solution could have been found through mutual consultation had he been involved. “But that path was not followed,” he said.
He made the remark after a clash broke out between hawkers and DNCC staff during an eviction drive at Mirpur-10, leaving several people injured, two DNCC dump trucks and three bulldozers damaged.
The clash took place around Hope Market between Mirpur-13 and Mirpur-10 at about 10:30am.
The Jamaat chief said Dhaka-15 is an important constituency where people elected him with their valuable votes.
He said measures concerning the people’s convenience and inconvenience could have been implemented in a more coordinated manner if the local MP had been consulted.
“Instead of isolated measures, coordinated, well-planned and sustainable steps should be taken that will be beneficial for all concerned. This is the demand of the time,” Shafiqur said.
He said alternative arrangements should be ensured for the small traders (footpath vendors) before conducting any eviction drive.
“It should also be considered whether any alternative arrangement has been made for the small traders concerned,” he said.
The opposition leader said measures should be taken based on reality so that small traders are not unnecessarily affected while ensuring that footpaths remain unobstructed and usable for the general people.
He also alleged that a group of dishonest people have been collecting regular extortion from the small traders for months and allowing them to conduct business there.
“They collect extortion on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. This is highly condemnable. Ultimately, the financial burden falls on ordinary consumers and the people,” Shafiqur said.
He urged everyone to remain calm for the time being. “Wherever there is a problem, there is also a way to resolve it. But the solution must be impartial, realistic and humane—not by unnecessarily causing harm to anyone,” he said.
“There is no place for the allies of fascism,” said the opposition leader.