DSCC Administrator Salam: There is no such thing as extortionists

❐ Staff Reporter

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam has said that unlicensed hawkers will not be allowed to sit on designated roads and sidewalks in Dhaka to maintain order.

He also called for arresting any lineman or extortionist who asks for money from hawkers and bringing them to the City Corporation.

A hawker eviction drive was carried out from Gulistan Zero Point to Golap Shah Mazar in the capital yesterday. Abdus Salam made these comments while talking to reporters after the drive.

He said, “If you have any linemen, any extortionists, bring them to me. So there is no such thing as extortionists, there is no such thing as linemen.”

The DSCC administrator said that hawkers will not be allowed to sit on the road from Kakrail intersection to Sadarghat. They will also not be allowed to sit on the road from Mirpur Road to New Market and Azimpur.

However, arrangements have been made for hawkers to sit inside the sidewalk at certain locations, leaving enough space for pedestrians to move around.

Abdus Salam, referring to several rounds of discussions with the hawkers, said they have promised to abide by the set rules. Considering the convenience of vehicle movement, some space has been left in front of Gulistan Cinema Hall and Ramna Bhaban.

Seating has also been allowed on certain parts of the sidewalk. However, the road or the entire sidewalk will not be left to hawkers. Their cooperation is needed to maintain order.

He said that hawkers will have to take responsibility for keeping the sidewalks clean. If the seating areas are not kept clean, permission will not be granted to do business there. If necessary, repeated raids will be conducted to clean the sidewalks as well as the roads.

The DSCC administrator has also issued a warning about hawkers sitting on the road opposite the secretariat.

He said that the hawkers have been asked to leave the area for three days. They were also removed last night. Since the Secretariat is a protected and security-sensitive area, hawkers cannot sit there.

Abdus Salam told hawkers that those who have shops or businesses should operate within designated areas. He also urged them not to occupy sidewalks to do business.

The Dhaka City Corporation wants the cooperation of hawkers to keep the city clean, the administrator said. However, if the ban is not followed, the goods will be confiscated and those responsible will be brought to justice.

Abdus Salam, who announced plans to register and license hawkers, said they will be registered with the City Corporation and given licenses and specific numbers. After the Durga Puja activities are over, no one other than licensed vendors or hawkers will be allowed to settle in Dhaka city.