DSCC evicts hawkers from Gulistan roads amid protests

Dhaka South City Corporation authorities evicted over one hundred hawkers and demolished illegal structures from different roads of Gulistan on Thursday amid protests.
Witnesses said that the evicted hawkers brought out a protest rally against the eviction drive alleging that the drive was conducted without notice.
The protestors were also locked in a clash with the city corporation employees and police.
Traffic movement remained suspended in the area for about two hours causing serious suffering to people. 
DSCC magistrate Abu Sayied said that they went to demolish illegal structures from Gulistan underground market in the afternoon.
‘Hawkers protested at the eviction and misbehaved with the corporation officials. Later, city corporation officials took a hawker to the Nagar Bhaban for creating obstacles during the drive, said Sayied.
The hawkers besieged the Nagar Bhaban and blocked the road in front of Nagar Bhaban demanding release of their fellow. 
They also allegedly attacked the security officers of Nagar Bhaban.
Bangladesh Chhatra League and other associated bodies of the ruling Awami League came in support of the city corporation and opened fire at the hawkers, who also pelted stones to them.
Later, a huge number of cops rushed to the spot and charged baton to disperse the hawkers.
No causality was reported in the incident. 
However, DSCC chief estate officer Khalid Ahmed continued eviction drives in the area.
South city mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon said that the city corporation authorities would take all necessary steps to keep the roads hawker free following direction of the High Court.
The city authorities asked the hawkers to vacate the places several times, but they did not leave, he added. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net