Local administration demolished illegal establishments in Rangpur and its city market, amid concerns over Covid-19 transmission as thousands crowd the area for daily necessities.
A large troop of the Bangladesh Army and the district police led by the district's deputy commissioner (DC) conducted the 3-hour long eviction drive starting 11am on Monday.
Among others, Jamir Uddin, assistant police commissioner (Kotwali Zone) of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, RCC panel Mayor Titu, and Shafiar Rahman, president of Rangpur city unit Awami League spoke to journalists after the drive came to an end.
For about 30 years, an influential syndicate has profited from illegal establishments in the city market. Recently, the huge crowds and traffic there raised Covid-19 transmission risk, according to officials of the District Administration and Rangpur City Corporation (RCC).
At the beginning of the pandemic, temporary establishments were built to shift fruit and vegetable stores from the city market to the city’s Townhall area, to reduce crowding and the transmission of Covid-19.
However, within a month the temporary stores returned to the city market which became a Covid-19 hotspot, said administrative personnel at the eviction drive.
Rangpur DC Asib Ahsan said vegetable markets and other illegal establishments will not be allowed inside the city market. From now on, traders need to conduct business at legitimate places designated by the local administration.