Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan has vowed to continue evicting illegal occupants from footpaths to ensure unobstructed movement for city residents.
“If necessary, the eviction drive will continue even at the cost of my life,” he said while inspecting an eviction operation at the footpath in front of Hope Market in Mirpur-10 on Wednesday.
The administrator said those involved in creating disorder and attacking DNCC staff, police and journalists during the operation would face legal action without exception.
He said the DNCC has been conducting regular eviction drives to remove illegal structures and ensure that pedestrians can use footpaths freely.
According to the administrator, an attack took place during Wednesday’s operation, allegedly involving people who had occupied the footpath and their associates. The attackers later left the area following resistance from local residents, he said.
Khan said separate cases would be filed by the DNCC and police over the incident, and those responsible would be identified and arrested following investigation.
He thanked local residents for supporting the eviction drive, saying their participation demonstrated public support for keeping footpaths free of illegal occupation.
The administrator said the DNCC had earlier held discussions with street vendors and issued 204 registration cards allowing them to operate temporarily at designated alternative locations. However, he said some vendors later returned to the footpaths.
“Footpaths are for public movement, and vendors will not be allowed to occupy them,” Khan said.
He said the DNCC would continue its eviction operations based on residents’ demands and urged city dwellers to cooperate with the authorities.
Khan also said the corporation plans to improve areas cleared through eviction drives by planting trees and creating a cleaner environment for pedestrians.
During the inspection, local political leaders and residents expressed support for the DNCC’s initiative to keep footpaths free from illegal occupation.
DNCC Chief Engineer Brig Gen Md Rakibul Hasan, Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Kayes, Mirpur Zone Deputy Commissioner Rikabdar Hossain and officers-in-charge of Kafrul and Mirpur police stations, among others, were present during the inspection.
