Leaders of Malik Samity (owners’ associations) of different markets in the capital’s Mirpur area are allegedly making some quick buck by encroaching upon pavements and a portion of the road.
They have illegally built makeshift shops on the sidewalks and a portion of the road in front of their respective markets and rent those out to hawkers to sell household goods.
The Samity members of different markets of Mirpur section-1, 2, 10 and Mipur Mazar roads are reported to be doing the brisk business.
Hawkers in front of Muktijuddha Super Market, Swadhin Bangla Super Market, Shah Ali Market, Shah Ali Girls School Shopping Complex, Mazar Cooperative Market, Haque Plaza, Muktijuddha Haque Plaza, Mitali Hawkers Market and Shomsher Market alleged that Samity leaders take monthly rent from them.
There are at least 10-20 makeshift shops in front of the markets. The shops are of three types – shops with a polythene rooftop, shops under an umbrella and shops under open air.
The owners of the shops with a polythene roof pay more money than the owners of other two types of shops. Also the monthly rent varies in terms of the size of the makeshift shops.
Bashir Ali, a vendor of Muktijoddha Super Market, said: “Leaders of the Malik Samity have permitted me to build a makeshift shop in front of their market. In return, I have to pay Tk5, 000 as monthly rent to them.”
Another hawker of the area Sukur Ali echoed the same. He said: “I have been working here for two years and have to pay Tk6, 000 as monthly rent.”
“We are doing business on streets as the state has failed to take our responsibility. We do not have that much money to rent a shop in a market.”
Hashem Ali, also a hawker having a shop in front of Haque Plaza, said: “It is not something new. Owners of many markets in different areas of the city do the same thing for making extra profit.”
He does not think it illegal. “They have opened up an opportunity for us to earn some money to run our families.”
This correspondent found vendors selling different items like shoes, T-shirts, sunglasses and vegetables.
Despite eviction drives by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) hawkers continue to go on with their businesses on sidewalks.
Monir Hossain, a fruit vendor, on the footpath adjacent to the Shah Ali Market has been doing the business there for the last three years.
He said: “My monthly income is Tk15, 000 but I have to pat at least Tk10, 000 to different people including monthly rent of Tk8, 000 to leaders of Malik Samity and a weekly amount of Tk100-250 to police.”
“Police vandalise shops if they are denied the money.
Some vendors alleged that a number of Samity leaders charge them Tk10 every day apart from the rent they pay.
Another vendor Hanif Uddin who has a makeshift shop in front of Shah Ali Girls School Shopping Complex echoed Monir Hussain.
Shahjahan Dewan, secretary of Muktijoddha Super Market Malik Samity, however, denied the allegation: “We do not indulge in such wrongdoings. Only those who have a shop in our market gives us a monthly rent, not the hawkers.”
Manager of Shah Ali Market Mijanur Rahman Fakir said: “Although DCC and DMP often evict them, hawkers continue to carry on with their business.”
When contacted Chief Estate Officer of DNCC Md Fashiullah said: “I am not aware that leaders of Malik Samity are taking rent from hawkers. We will investigate the matter and the persons involved will definitely be punished.”
About the rehabilitation facility for hawkers he said: “Rehabilitation is not an easy matter. Besides, DCC have some limitations.”
About realizing extortion Officer-in-charge of Shah Ali Police Station Md Selimuzzaman said: “I am not aware of the matter. Nobody has lodged any complaint with the police station against police or leaders of Malik Samity.”
