Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy at the Narayanganj Press Club after the clashes between her and MP Shamim Osman's supporters at Chashara on January 16, 2018 | Dhaka Tribune
Ivy blamed Shamim for instigating the attack on her and her followers, while the MP without naming anyone said a quarter was trying to destabilize the city but that they had been stopped. He also alleged that “BNP goons” with firearms were among Ivy’s followers. Locals and police said Mayor Ivy last year had decided to rid the footpaths of the city of hawkers, but that was strongly opposed by local lawmaker Shamim. Since then, they have traded barbs on different occasions. According to a NCC survey, there are 600 hawkers occupying the footpaths with makeshift shops, around the city. But the hawkers claim they are 4,000 in total. Recently, after Ivy declared that the hawkers would be evicted for sure and shifted to the recently built Hawkers Market in the city, Shamim had announced that he would help the hawkers to reoccupy the footpaths. On Tuesday, hawkers had allegedly joined the influential MP’s supporters during the clash. Apart from battling with Ivy’s followers, they also clashed with police.
Apart from fighting Selina Hayat Ivy's followers, hawkers had reportedly joined Shamim Osman's supporters during their clash with police at Chashara on January 16, 2018 | Dhaka Tribune
Witnesses said the clash started when Shamim’s supporters and hawkers started throwing brickbats at Ivy and his followers in front of Mukti General Hospital, as they came down from the city corporation office with a procession protesting the hawkers’ stance. One Niazul Islam, who was among the MP’s followers, had also fired from a small handgun, according to witnesses, which prompted Ivy’s supporters to create a human shield to save the mayor. Then, both groups fought in phases over 30 minutes, after which police arrived at the scene and tried to disperse them. The clashes brought traffic to a stop on Bangabandhu Road, from Chashara to No 2 rail gate areas. As Shamim joined the hawkers on the road, an injured Ivy took shelter at the Narayanganj Press Club, where she also briefed the media later.
MP Shamim Osman uses a megaphone to address his supporters, hawkers and journalists on the Bangabandhu Road after the clash at Chashara on January 16, 2018 | Dhaka Tribune
The mayor said: “Shamim Osman’s goons have attacked me and the innocent citizens today and left many, including myself, injured. “I just wanted to talk to the hawkers about the prime minister’s orders. I wanted to tell them that I have been ordered to evict the hawkers from the footpaths, but an alternative place for them to set up shop has been provided. But Shamim Osman’s supporters attacked us without any provocation.” Meanwhile, the Awami League lawmaker at Bangabandhu Road told reporters: “Some people are trying to destabilize the situation. This is not a political movement. The hawkers only want to stay on the footpaths. Stay alert so that no one can create instability. “I have seen some of the BNP’s goons, who are accused in murder cases, with firearms among the mayor’s followers. The mayor can do foolish things, but I am not a fool.” Shamim also said: “This is not a political matter. The district’s deputy commissioner and superintendent of police will decide whether the hawkers will stay or not. Until a suitable alternative is provided, hawkers will stay where they are.”This article was first published on banglatribune.com
