Hawkers warn Mayor Khokon over evictionSeveral groups of hawkers are continuing to agitate against the Dhaka South City Corporation's move to evict street vendors from Gulistan, Motijheel and Paltan.

At a rally in front of the National Press Club on Tuesday, several hawkers' organisations demanded a policy for rehabilitating those evicted in the last two days.

Speaking at the rally, hawkers' leader Abul Hossain warned Dhaka South Mayor Sayeed Khokon of 'dire consequences.'

"Your father was also the mayor of this city and he had never evicted hawkers. We hope you will not take a decision like this," said Hossain, the convener of an alliance of 16 hawkers' organisations.

On Jan 11, Mayor Khokon announced that street vendors will not be allowed to run their business on streets and footpaths before 6:30pm on weekdays.

However, they will be not barred to keep their shops open throughout the day on weekends and holidays, he said.

The decision came into effect from Sunday.

Over the last two days, authorities have conducted raids to evict street vendors at Gulistan, Paltan, Motijheel and Dilkusha areas in the capital.

On Monday, hawkers' representatives met Mayor Khokan and submitted their 10-point demands, which included stopping evictions without resettlement.

But the Dhaka South Mayor has made it clear that he will not budge.

He said on Monday that the prime minister has instructed him to take measures, in keeping with the law, for making things better for pedestrians.

bdnews24.com