Dhaka:Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed surprise over a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) footpath eviction drive in his constituency, Mirpur, which was conducted without prior consultation with him. He emphasized the need for alternative arrangements for hawkers before such operations are carried out.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shafiqur Rahman voiced his concerns on his verified Facebook page, stating that as the local Member of Parliament, he should have been involved in the process to devise an effective solution prior to the eviction drive. He believes that mutual consultation could have led to a more optimal resolution.
The remarks came in the wake of a clash between hawkers and DNCC staff during an eviction drive at Mirpur-10, resulting in injuries to several people and damage to two DNCC dump trucks and three bulldozers. The confrontation occurred around Hope Market between Mirpur-13 and Mirpur-10 at approximately 1030 am.
Shafiqur highlighted the importance of Dhaka-15, where he was elected, and argued that measures impacting the public should be implemented in a more coordinated manner. He called for well-planned and sustainable steps that benefit all parties involved, instead of isolated actions.
He stressed the necessity of ensuring alternative arrangements for small traders, such as footpath vendors, before conducting eviction drives. Shafiqur also raised concerns about the ongoing extortion of these traders by dishonest individuals, which he condemned as placing an undue financial burden on ordinary consumers.
The opposition leader urged calm and proposed that solutions to such issues should be impartial, realistic, and humane, avoiding unnecessary harm. He concluded by stating there should be no tolerance for those who support fascism.