‘I am surprised they took action without informing the local MP’: Opposition leader

Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed surprise over the eviction drive against hawkers in Mirpur, saying the local MP should have been informed and involved before such action was taken.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shafiqur said Mirpur is an important parliamentary constituency where he was elected by the people and that he has a responsibility to address issues affecting his constituents.

“I am surprised that such a measure was taken without informing the local MP. I also have a responsibility in this regard, and I could have been involved,” he said.

He said consultation among the relevant parties could have produced a more effective solution to the situation, but that approach was not followed.

The opposition leader called for an approach that protects the interests of small traders while keeping footpaths clear and accessible for pedestrians.

“Instead of conflict, a system should be put in place based on the reality of the situation, so that small traders are not unnecessarily harmed while the public’s right to use the walkways freely is ensured,” he said.

Shafiqur also called for alternative arrangements to be made for the affected hawkers before eviction operations are conducted.

“Before conducting such an eviction drive, alternative arrangements should first be ensured and then a decision should be taken,” he said, questioning whether any alternative arrangements had been made for the traders.

He also raised allegations that some individuals had been collecting extortion payments from the small traders for months in exchange for allowing them to conduct business in the area.

According to him, the alleged payments are collected on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis, with the financial burden eventually being passed on to consumers and the wider public.

He called for a coordinated, well-planned and sustainable approach involving all relevant stakeholders, including the local MP.

The eviction drive in Mirpur turned violent on Wednesday morning as Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Dhaka North City Corporation officials moved to clear hawkers from footpaths in the area. The clashes left several people injured and resulted in damage to vehicles and equipment, including the torching of three DNCC garbage trucks and vandalism of a police vehicle and an excavator.

Shafiqur urged everyone to remain calm and said any solution to the dispute should be “neutral, practical and humane” and should not cause unnecessary harm to anyone.