Led by Dhaka Metropolitan police executive magistrate Moshiur Rahman, the mobile court conducted the drive from around 11:30am to 12:30pm on Wednesday.
At first the mobile court came to Shahbagh area to start the awareness drive against jaywalking and fined two pedestrians as well.
The Dhaka Tribune correspondent asked the magistrate how the pedestrians would traverse the footpaths or the bridge, as the place was occupied by floating vendors and drug addicts. Following the allegation, the magistrate began conducting a drive to remove the vendors.
Magistrate Moshiur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune that some flower vendors and vendors plying other trades had occupied the place.
“We were directed to clear the footpaths and foot-over bridge to ease pedestrian movement,” he said.
Meanwhile, the flower vendors alleged the mobile court had evicted them without notice.
Shahbagh Small Flower Co-operative Society president Abul Kalam told the Dhaka Tribune: “Flower vendors in the area have been in business for nearly 32 years. But today, we have been evicted without notice. We are facing huge losses due to this eviction, that too with no rehabilitation.”
“The city corporation has repeatedly assured us a permanent solution would be found. The mayor told us to stay on the footpaths, not on the streets. We are doing exactly that,” he said.
When asked about the allegation by the vendors, the magistrate said: “We evicted the businesses according to the law, which does not require a notice to be given.”
Most of the flowers sold on February 21 were purchased from the vendors in Shahbagh, all the more notable since these vendors were evicted the very next day.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
