Hawkers' orgs submit memo to minister

Hawker Samannay Parishad, a platform of different hawkers' organisations, yesterday submitted a memorandum to the LGRD minister demanding formulation of a national guideline and law to stop the eviction of hawkers and their rehabilitation.

Addressing a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club, coordinator of the parishad Abul Hossain said they will arrange a grand rally in Dhaka to realise their demand and submit a memorandum to the prime minister.

He said they will continue their movement protesting the eviction move. “We don't want to stay on the streets rather we want to stay on the footpaths,” said Hossain.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities are continuing the eviction drive in the Gulistan area to keep the streets free from vendors during office hours.

The drive will continue to ensure free streets for the public, DSCC Mayor Mayor Sayeed Khokon said after an 11-member delegation of Bangladesh Hawkers' Federation at Nagar Bhaban met him recently and presented a memorandum with their 10-point demand.

The mayor recently had announced that the hawkers will not be allowed to sit in Gulistan and adjacent areas during working hours from January 15. But they will be allowed to sit at selected places from 6:30pm onwards and all day on the weekends.

Due to the eviction drive, the Gulistan area is now free of hawkers and has created a scope for the pedestrians to move smoothly.