Eviction drive or a mere ‘eyewash’

Pedestrians have raised questions about the outcome of the drive, conducted by the Dhaka South City Corporation on Wednesday, to drive out vendors on walkways.

But the hawkers came back to their places after the hour-long operation. Some of them resumed their businesses soon after the officials left a spot to raid other places.    

At end of the day, almost nothing changed as the footpaths in Gulistan and Motijheel area remained the same.     

Officials of Dhaka South launched the eviction drive at 12pm.

They removed makeshift shops on pavements at Phoenix road, Zero point, GPO and Baitul Mukarram area.   

When the officials left one place to conduct another drive at other places, vendors became busy in collecting their goods –  from fruits to clothes. They redecorated their shops and began sales.    

A pedestrian said the Dhaka South frequently conduct such drives at Gulistan to free the footpaths of hawkers. But those are never found clear to walk.

"Street vendors return minutes after every eviction drive. It is like a hide and seek game between the hawkers and city corporation authorities and it is nothing but an eyewash," he commented.

In the meantime, hawkers and vendors strongly opposed the city corporation's drive terming it a "autocratic attitude".

"They are trying to drive us away without showing a path to do business at an alternative place," said Rafiqul Alam, a vendor of Bangabandhu Avenue.
Other hawkers echoed almost the same.

According to Dhaka South officials, the Wednesday's eviction cleared out at least 55 makeshift shops at Gulistan and more than 60 shops at Motijheel area.

DSCC Chief Estate Officer Rasel Sabrin, Executive Magistrates Md Moniruzzaman and Irfan Uddin Ahmed were present during the drive.

Dhaka North removes 70 establishments

Dhaka North City Corporation on Wednesday removed 70 illegal installations from the DNCC Market at Gulshan-1.

Dhaka North mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Md Sagir Hossain, conducted the eviction drive in and outside of the market from 11am to 4pm on the day.

The magistrate told The Business Standard that they have conducted the drive as part of the ongoing eviction efforts.

Officials of the corporation said businessmen from the market had demanded that a drive be conducted against illegal traders in the market and adjacent areas.

Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam directed the team to clear out all illegal installations, including makeshift shops inside the market, on the outside pavements and adjacent areas.

The officials said their operation will go on.