Involving MPs before Mirpur drive could help reach peaceful solution: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman said involving local MPs before the major eviction drive in Mirpur could have helped reach a peaceful solution.

Visiting the eviction site today (30 September), he said the area covers Dhaka constituencies 15 and 16 and elected representatives should be involved in government initiatives affecting their constituents.

He urged the government to involve elected representatives in future initiatives taken for public welfare, saying this would help secure public support and cooperation and prevent disorder and violence.

Regarding the Mirpur eviction drive, Shafiqur Rahman said the operation was aimed at removing small-scale street vendors from roads and footpaths.

"Roads are primarily meant for movement. Roads are for vehicles, while footpaths are for pedestrians. But because of a lack of discipline, accidents happen regularly. People suffer because roads are not clean or spacious enough," he said.

He said Dhaka has a large number of small traders who come from villages to earn a living, and many of them operate on roads and footpaths because of a lack of social and administrative order.

He also alleged that vendors are subjected to daily, weekly, monthly and yearly extortion.

"We said before the election that this problem needs a sustainable and coordinated solution. They also need a way to earn a living and survive. Suitable places should be developed for them where they can run their businesses," he said.

He said city corporations could collect reasonable taxes from such businesses and "there should be no extortion".

"We want roads to remain roads, clean and free of businesses. But these small traders should also be given suitable spaces where they can work and earn a living with dignity," he added.

Regarding attacks and vandalism involving government vehicles during the eviction drive, Shafiqur Rahman condemned the incidents.

"Some government vehicles were burned today. That was not right. The vehicles are not at fault. If someone commits an offence, we can hold the individual accountable. Government vehicles are bought with your tax money too. You are also a stakeholder. If they are destroyed, the country will suffer, and you will also bear part of that loss," he said.

He expressed sympathy for those injured on both sides and urged everyone to remain calm.

"We hope a proper solution can be found. Everyone needs to be patient. There is no solution if we lose patience. We have to find a solution that is acceptable and beneficial to everyone," he said.

On the fire at property belonging to a mosque, Shafiqur Rahman said it appeared to be a warehouse or similar facility.

"As far as I understand, when the eviction drive was underway, a wire was torn, causing a short circuit and a fire. The goods were burned and damaged," he said.

He urged the mosque authorities to address the damage and called on the government to look into the losses suffered by the mosque property.

Shafiqur Rahman also called for action against extortion, land grabbing, corruption and the drug and alcohol trade across the country.

"Don't just solve the problems of Mirpur or Kafrul; solve these problems across the country. Stop extortion, stop land grabbing and stop corruption. Take action against those involved in the alcohol and drug trade," he said.

He also called for the arrest and punishment of those responsible for major offences in Dhaka.

Regarding the role of the administration, he said it could not solve such problems alone and needed public cooperation.

"In legitimate and good work, the administration will have our full cooperation, InshaAllah. But if the administration plays the role of an oppressor, we will stand against it," he said.

"We do not want our administration to take the side of injustice as it did during the previous fascist regime," he added.

He urged the administration to strictly follow the principle of "suppressing the wrongdoers and protecting the righteous."