The clearance of illegal occupants from Mirpur footpaths will continue despite recent clashes, vandalism, and arson during an eviction drive, declared Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan.
He made the announcement on Wednesday (September 30) while inspecting the eviction site at Mirpur-10.
The administrator stated that illegal occupants and their instigators attacked city corporation vehicles, police officers, and journalists during the operation. However, resistance from local residents forced the attackers to flee, he noted.
He reiterated that the program to free footpaths will persist to ensure smooth movement for city dwellers.
During the drive, an electrical short circuit triggered a fire, after which agitating hawkers set fire to three DNCC garbage trucks. The crowd also vandalized an excavator and a police vehicle, while trying to create chaos by starting a fire near a local mosque, Khan added.
He announced that both the DNCC and the police will file cases over the incident. Authorities will identify and arrest those involved through an investigation.
The administrator thanked local residents for supporting the drive, emphasizing that freeing footpaths aligns with public demand and remains a moral duty of the city corporation. Legal action will also be taken regarding attacks on journalists during the clash.
Khan, a local resident of Mirpur, asserted that illegal occupation will not be tolerated and that direct action against violators will continue.
-SA