Tension returns as hawkers take to streets again

The hawkers in Narayanganj city have once again taken to the streets three months after an attack on city Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy and her supporters on January 16 over the issue of conducting their business on the footpaths.

They have announced to wage a tougher movement if they are not given permission to sit on the footpaths from May 1.

Meanwhile, the investigation committee formed on January 17 to probe into the attack on Ivy could not yet submit its report though the deadline has been extended for four times.

The hawkers under the banner of “Narayanganj District Hawkers' Action Council” brought out a procession yesterday noon, demanding permission to conduct business on the footpath stretch from Chashara to Bangabandhu Road. They also held a rally at Chashara Shaheed Minar.

They said the hawkers should be allowed to sell their products on the footpath, especially ahead of Ramadan.

Police, however, said the hawkers in no way would be allowed to sit on Bangabandhu Road.

Hafizul Islam, Narayanganj district president of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, said in the last few months, they held talks with the district administration, city corporation and law enforcers. They also submitted memorandums but to no avail. “If hawkers are not allowed to continue their trade... from May 1, we will announce a stricter movement. If the authorities concerned obstruct us, we will build up a united resistance.”

On December 25 last year, the city corporation launched a drive to clear the footpaths from hawkers.

Soon afterwards, the hawkers started a continuous movement to persuade the city corporation to reconsider the decision. But, Ivy said she will not bow down to the  demand as “footpaths belong to people”.

Things took a violent turn on January 16 during Ivy's procession to keep the footpaths free of hawkers. Supporters of  AL lawmaker Shamim Osman attacked Ivy and her followers, leading to a clash on Bangabandhu Road in Chashara.

The entire area turned into a battlefield as the followers of the two leaders got locked in chase and counter-chase. Ivy and around 50 others were injured.

There had been tension in the city as Osman took a stance against the mayor's decision to evict illegal hawkers from footpaths, locals said.

Later, police filed a case against some 400 to 500 unknown people on January 25.

The district administration on January 17 formed a three-member committee to probe into the incident. The committee was directed to submit its report within seven working days but the tenure has been extended for four times.

“We need more time to submit the report. All the committee members are government officials. They have to conduct the investigation after discharging their regular duties. That's why it is being delayed,” Narayanganj Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Jasim Uddin Haider, who is leading the investigation team, told The Daily Star yesterday.

“I hope we will be able to submit the report within next 15 working days,” he added.

Contacted, Kamrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station, said, “The case in connection with the January 16 incident is under investigation. No one has been arrested yet.”

About the hawkers' demand, he said, “Hawkers will not be allowed to sit on the Bangabandhu road.”

Mentionable, after the January 16 incident, the mayor has allowed the hawkers to conduct business on some of the roads, according to the city corporation.

But the hawkers' said they want to continue their activities on Bangabandhu Road as well since it is the major thoroughfare of the city.