An 80-year-old man, Naim Uddin, who lost his last shelter during an eviction drive by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in Moghbazar, has received support from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
According to reports, the eviction drive on Wednesday targeted illegal roadside shops and structures in an effort to restore order on pavements. During the operation, Naim Uddin lost the small space he had been using as both his shop and shelter.
The situation drew attention after a daily newspaper published a human-interest story titled “This Shop Will Not Be Evicted,” which quickly went viral on social media. Following this, the Prime Minister expressed a desire to speak with him.
Moksedul Momin Mithun, Member Secretary of “Amra BNP Poribar,” an organization supported by Tarique Rahman, said the Prime Minister spoke to Naim Uddin over the phone at around 11:30am on Thursday.
He said the Prime Minister assured lifelong support to the elderly man and instructed the organization to take responsibility for his permanent housing, medical care, and maintenance.
Mithun added that full responsibility for Naim Uddin’s treatment and living expenses has already been assumed, and arrangements will be made near his current location in Moghbazar.
Notably, during the eviction drive, Special Metropolitan Magistrate Imran Ahmed drew attention with a humane decision. Despite ongoing demolitions in the surrounding area, he ordered that Naim Uddin’s small shop should not be removed, considering humanitarian grounds.
