New Market businessmen withdraw Nilkhet blockade

Businessmen of New Market withdrew their blockade at Nilkhet intersection in Dhaka following assurance of local lawmaker Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh that the second floor of the market would not be constructed.

They besieged the intersection around 12:00 noon protesting the city corporation’s move to build a second floor of the market that caused a long tailback and suffering for commuters on Mirpur Road and its adjacent areas.

Around five hours after their agitation, the businessmen withdrew the blockade around 4:45pm after MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh went to the spot and assured them to meet their demand, Matlabur Rahman, officer-in-charge (investigation) of New Market Police Station, told The Daily Star.

The business association leaders claimed that the building is a part of the heritage as it was built in 1952. Besides, according to the original plan of New Market, the building is supposed to be one-storied, they said.

Aminul Islam, a jeweler shop owner in the market, said the businessmen will again take to the street if the authority does not stay aside from such decision.