Hawkers clash with police during Mirpur-10 eviction drive, operation resumes
Eyewitnesses said the number of roadside traders at the scene was higher than that of police, and police members were seen retreating somewhat amid the brickbatting.
At least three city corporation garbage trucks were set on fire and a police vehicle and an excavator were vandalised during a footpath eviction drive in Dhaka's Mirpur-10 area today (30 September).
A passer-by was also injured as hawkers and roadside traders clashed with law enforcement agencies during the operation, while several journalists covering the incident were allegedly harassed and confronted by some hawkers.
Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammad Naser Rikabdar confirmed the incident.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The eviction drive by the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) began around 9:30am to clear illegal occupants from the footpaths around the Mirpur-10 roundabout.
According to eyewitnesses and people involved in the operation, a city corporation roller was being used to demolish shops when a fire reportedly broke out due to an electrical short circuit, escalating tensions at the scene.
The eviction drive resumed around 3:57pm amid tensions between police and hawkers and remains underway.
A short circuit reportedly triggered the blaze, which gutted five to six shops beneath the Baitul Kuddus Jame Mosque.
DNCC workers, accompanied by police, began removing shops from the footpaths, leading to an argument with roadside traders.
A section of the traders then attacked and vandalised city corporation vehicles, with at least three garbage trucks eventually set on fire.
On-site observations showed that several clothing, footwear and cosmetics shops beneath the mosque in the Hope Market area, adjacent to Mirpur Ideal School on the road from Mirpur-10 towards Mirpur-13 and 14, were gutted in the fire.
An excavator used by the eviction team and a police vehicle were also vandalised. Police were deployed to bring the situation under control, further escalating tensions.
Around 11:45am, a group of roadside traders was seen gathered in front of Mirpur Ideal College, while police took positions around the Mirpur-10 roundabout.
Eyewitnesses said tensions continued, and police at one point fired tear-gas shells. The roadside traders responded by throwing bricks and stones, injuring passer-by Nasir Uddin.
"I was returning after completing some work at BRTA. When I reached the roundabout, the roadside traders hit me on the head with bricks and helmets. My head was split open. Later, while I was taking another route, some people took me to a pharmacy," Nasir said.
Eyewitnesses also said the number of roadside traders at the scene was higher than that of police, and police members were seen retreating somewhat amid the brickbatting.
Several journalists at the scene also faced verbal confrontations with some hawkers while trying to take photographs and videos and collect information. A vehicle belonging to a private television channel was vandalised, while several media workers were allegedly harassed and confronted by hawkers.
The situation remained tense across Mirpur-10 after the clashes, with additional police deployed to maintain order.
Fire Service duty officer Rakib Hossain said three units were deployed after a fire was reported in Mirpur, where police, SRF members and other law enforcers were also present.
As the drive resumed around 3:57pm, Mirpur Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Md Abul Basar Molla told journalists that an exact figure of those arrested would be provided after the operation concludes.
"We will be able to give you the exact figure once our operation is over, including how many people have been arrested. We estimate that around 30 people have been detained so far, although the number could be slightly higher or lower," he said.
Regarding journalists, he said police had not yet received any information about whether anyone had been injured. "However, around eight to nine police personnel have been injured," he added.
He said one or two city corporation vehicles and a police vehicle were also attacked, resulting in their windshields being smashed.
Basar Molla said hawkers had illegally occupied a significant portion of the footpaths and roads in Mirpur to conduct business, causing inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters.
"During today's eviction drive conducted by the city corporation, the hawkers attacked city corporation workers and police personnel. The police subsequently resumed the operation. Our eviction drive is still underway and will continue," he said.
He further said, "We want to make the footpaths completely free of hawkers. The entire road and illegal structures will be cleared and the area will be kept free of encroachment. Under the joint initiative with the city corporation, no one will be allowed to set up here again in the future."
"Legal action will certainly be taken over the attacks on police personnel, and cases will be filed," he added.
