Experts doubt Rajuk’s eviction drives

Addressing a round-table discussion titled “Urban planning: After eviction drive, what is next?” yesterday, the speakers said the authorities should state clearly which establishments are considered “unauthorised” or “commercial.” “Furthermore, in Dhanmondi, all establishments are supposed to be residential. Any schools set up in Dhanmondi are supposed to be illegal. Yet, there is no explanation from the authorities as to why they are still around,” said urban planner and architect Qazi M Arif at the discussion. Organised by the Bangla Tribune, the discussion was conducted by Mithila Farzana of Ekattor Television and attended by South Breeze School Principal Zeenat Chowdhury, Barrister Omar Sadat, former Rajuk chief engineer Emdadul Islam, Korean Chain Restaurant BBQ owner Ashraf-ud-Doula, the Daily Sangbad Managing Director Kashem Humayun, former Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Sangita Ahmed and Bangla Tribune acting editor Zulfiqer Russell, among others. “The schools that were shut down were not business outlets. A large number of students are now facing an uncertain future because their schools were shut down. The government should take this matter into serious consideration,” said Zeenat. She further said South Breeze School, one of the schools that were shut down in Dhanmondi, was established in 1987 after acquiring the government’s approval. BBQ owner Ashraf said this eviction will cause huge financial loss to the government along with the business owners. “The government billed us for electricity and gas use in a commercial establishment for 10 years. And now they term us illegal?” he asked. “I have 100 employees working in my restaurant. All of them will lose their jobs if my restaurant is shut down. I have taken a large loan from the bank which I won’t be able to pay back. “We want what the government wants. We wholeheartedly agree with the government’s plan to resolve traffic problems and develop the city. The attack on Holey Artisan Bakery was unexpected. The government should work on the security at the restaurants, and we are here to follow their instructions.” Lack of coordination among different government agencies during the eviction drives was clearly evident, said Kashem Humayun. “When the city corporation gives licence to an organisation to operate, it is their authorisation. There are problems regarding registration and location. There is a lack of coordination among city corporation, Rajuk and education ministry,” he said. “What the students of the evicted schools is a matter of concern. On the other hand, schools cannot be operated in residential areas. There are problems on both the sides. That is why the government should consider all sides of an issue and plan accordingly.” Zulfiqer Russell asked: “There are other establishments to be focused on before schools, colleges and universities in the residential area. Could you evict the political party offices located in Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Baridhara areas?” He further said it is not possible to relocate universities and cantonment. “Amid this situation, there is no alternative way except for resolving traffic congestion with a plan.”