Brickbats hurled during eviction drive to free Paltan footpaths, mayor unmoved

Angry hawkers have vandalised city corporation vehicles during an eviction drive by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to free the footpaths in Gulistan and adjacent areas.

Three executive magistrates led the drive in Baitul Mukarram, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Motijheel, Dilkusha and Paltan on Sunday afternoon following DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon's announcement.

The city corporation bulldozers came under attack by brickbats-pelting hawkers when those moved to Paltan from Dainik Bangla Intersection.

Glasses of two city corporation vehicles broke, but no one was injured.

The hawkers complained they were not given time to take their goods away.

One asked why his goods were bulldozed even though his shop was closed in the day time following the mayor's order.

The mayor said the hawkers would be allowed only after 6:30pm.

Asked why he opened his shop in daytime, another hawker said, "People eat thrice, not once a day!"

Another argued that Gulistan and Motijheel, mainly commercial areas, become empty after office hours. "Who will buy things after that?" he shot back.

They demonstrated in the area when the magistrates left with their men.

Bangladesh National Hawkers Union organised a rally there.

Its advisor Md Hazrat Ali announced a siege to Nagar Bhaban on Monday in protest against the eviction before the hawkers had been rehabilitated.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hossain told bdnews24.com that those who pelted brickbats "cannot be called hawkers".

"The situation is normal now," he said later in the afternoon.

Mayor Khokon said at a press conference at the Nagar Bhaban after the drive that no one will be allowed to sell goods on the footpaths of the area in daytime.

"The drive will continue until the streets and footpaths are free," he said.

"DSCC will not negotiate with anyone," he added.