Mere eviction cannot provide permanent solution to small traders' problems

Following clashes centering an eviction drive on footpaths at Mirpur in the capital, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-15 constituency, Shafiqur Rahman, has called for providing alternative spaces for small traders as well as taking action against extortion, illegal occupation, and corruption.

He made these remarks while talking to journalists after inspecting the site of the eviction drive in the Mirpur-10 area on Wednesday (September 30) afternoon.

He said, "Roads must be kept open and clean for people's movement. However, the livelihoods of small traders must also be taken into consideration."

Shafiqur Rahman said, "Small traders across the country have to pay bribes in various places. Along with stopping extortion, they must be given the opportunity to do business in suitable places so that they can earn their livelihoods."

Both sides were injured in the incident. Describing the vandalism of government vehicles as regrettable, he said, "These vehicles are not anyone's personal property; they are run with the people's tax money. So when government property is destroyed, it harms the country as well as ordinary people."

He called for action against extortion, illegal occupation, and corruption not only at Mirpur or Kafrul but "across the entire country." At the same time, he demanded that those involved in drugs and other crimes be identified and brought under the law.

Highlighting the suffering of small traders, the Jamaat Ameer said that many people come from villages to the capital and engage in small businesses out of the need to earn a living. Many of them have to pay bribes at various levels. This situation must be ended and opportunities must be created for them to do business in designated places.

The parliamentarian said, "Before the election, we said this problem must be solved in a sustainable and integrated manner. Designated places must be allocated for small traders. They will do business there, the city corporation will receive taxes at a reasonable rate; but no kind of extortion will be tolerated."

Regarding the role of the administration, Shafiqur Rahman said, "The administration alone cannot solve all problems; in this regard, public cooperation is needed." However, he expressed the expectation that the administration, instead of taking the side of wrongdoing, will play a just and public welfare-oriented role.

Regarding the eviction drive in Mirpur, he said, "If local public representatives had been involved from the beginning and the initiative had been taken after discussions with those concerned, it would have been possible to solve the problem peacefully."

He called for coordinating with public representatives before undertaking any public welfare-oriented initiative in the future. Finally, he called upon everyone to remain calm and patient in the hope of a proper solution.