Makeshift shops selling iftar items on the city footpaths and streets are hindering public and traffic movement, ignoring decision of the authorities concerned.
Not only iftar sellers but also other hawkers have started their business from the very beginning of the holy month of Ramadan by illegally encroaching the roads and footpaths, adding immense sufferings to the pedestrians.
Before Ramadan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and authorities of shopping malls and markets announced that they would not allow any makeshift shop on city footpaths and streets during the month.
From a press conference, DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed earlier said: “Iftar selling makeshift shop owners obstruct vehicular movement during Ramadan every year. These types of shops or business will be not allowed this year.”
However, the makeshift shop owners did not pay any heed to the decision, as numerous shops have been doing businesses on the footpaths and streets of Gulistan, Jatrabari, Farmgate, New Market, Mohakhali, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Mogbazar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Gulshan and Uttara.
Illegal businesses on the footpaths and streets in front of the law enforcers’ eyes continued to hinder public and traffic movements like the previous years.
Sanjida Islam, an employee of a private bank, while returning home after office told the Dhaka Tribune: “Before every Ramadan the law enforcers say they will take special steps to overcome public harassment on roads, but they failed to stop encroachment of Dhaka’s footpaths by makeshift shops and hawkers.”
Azharul Islam, a resident of Azimpur said: “Like every year, police officials assured that makeshift shops owners will not set any shops on the footpaths or streets, but result is all the same – makeshift shops all over the footpaths with no room to move freely.”
However, DMP Deputy Commissioner for Media and Publication Masudur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune: “If we find any makeshift Iftar shops on footpaths or streets, we will remove the shops and take legal actions.”