Shafiqur calls for coordinated approach to Mirpur eviction drive

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for a coordinated and humane approach to an eviction drive in Mirpur, saying alternative arrangements should be made for small roadside traders before such operations are carried out.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said clashes broke out between police and Dhaka North City Corporation officials and small traders during an eviction drive at Hope Market in the Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-13 area around 10:30am.

He said some city corporation equipment was damaged and officials and employees involved in the drive were assaulted. Clashes also took place between police and the traders, while media workers were obstructed while covering the incident.

Shafiqur, who was elected from the constituency, said the authorities could have consulted the local MP before taking action on an issue affecting residents and businesses in the area.

He called for a practical arrangement that would protect small traders from unnecessary losses while ensuring that pavements remain accessible to pedestrians.

He also alleged that a group of dishonest individuals had been collecting regular extortion payments from the small traders for months in exchange for allowing them to conduct business there. According to him, the payments were collected daily, weekly, monthly and annually, ultimately placing an additional financial burden on consumers and the public.

The Jamaat chief said eviction drives should not be isolated measures and called for coordinated, well-planned and sustainable action involving all relevant stakeholders.

He expressed surprise that the operation was carried out without informing or involving him as the local MP and said consultation could have produced a more effective solution.

He also stressed the need to ensure alternative arrangements for the affected traders before conducting such eviction drives.

Shafiqur urged everyone to remain calm, saying solutions should be neutral, practical and humane and should not cause unnecessary harm to anyone.

He added that there was no place for “accomplices of fascism”.