Hawkers began setting up stalls on the footpaths of Mirpur-1 in Dhaka within an hour of an eviction drive on Wednesday, prompting the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to launch a second operation in the area.
The first drive, led by DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, ran from 11am to 1pm, removing hundreds of stalls. However, hawkers soon returned to the footpaths in front of Muktijoddha Super Market and Hazrat Shah Ali Shopping Complex.
A second drive began at around 2:45pm, when DNCC officials removed stalls and collected wood, bamboo, bricks and other materials used by vendors. Some hawkers dismantled their stalls themselves after being asked to do so. Cleaning workers subsequently swept the road.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, a cosmetics seller who had a stall in front of Muktijoddha Super Market, requesting anonymity, said he was worried about how he would support his family if the authorities prevented him from selling goods for one or two months.
He said vendors were reluctant to relocate because alternative sites often attracted fewer customers.
“People come to the market to shop and buy things from us when they see our stalls. That will not happen if we move elsewhere,” he said.
Ripon Khan, a trader at Hazrat Shah Ali Shopping Complex, said hawkers returned as soon as the authorities left.
“They remove them from one place, and they set up stalls somewhere else. The government could designate a place for them behind the shrine, but they will still set up stalls on the roads,” he said.
Jahurul Alam Sujon, an inspector at DNCC Zone-2, told Dhaka Tribune that eviction drives would continue without a fixed schedule.
“There is no specific time; we can come at any time. We still have two more teams that can come and check even after we leave,” he said.
Speaking to journalists after the first drive, DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton said the DNCC would continue removing encroachments that obstruct pedestrians.
“Footpaths in every area will be freed from encroachment,” he said, adding that restoring public access to walkways was his responsibility as DNCC administrator.
He also reiterated his commitment to the government's goal of building a clean and green Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Muktijoddha Super Market authorities made an announcement over a loudspeaker, asking vendors to remove their stalls from the area in front of the market.
