DSCC launches eviction drive at Suhrawardy Udyan

Dhaka South City Corporation launched an eviction drive at Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday, demolishing hundreds of illegal makeshift shops and structures.

The operation, led by DSCC Executive Magistrate Md Aminul Islam, began around 9:00am near the gate adjacent to Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre.

The drive was conducted with the assistance of a large contingent of police personnel.

Acting Estate Manager of Dhaka University, Fatema Binte Mustafa, was present at the scene.

The move came in the wake of the killing of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a postgraduate student of Dhaka University. In response to the incident, the government has introduced a series of measures aimed at enhancing security in Suhrawardy Udyan.

These include permanently closing the TSC-adjacent gate, removing illegal vendors, increasing surveillance with CCTV cameras, installing adequate lighting, setting up a dedicated police box, and banning public access after 8:00pm.

Photo: Mahathir Mohammed/Star

Mohammad Aftab, who has been running a tea stall in the DU area since 2006, said, "The authorities came and demolished my stall today. When I tried to retrieve my goods, they started arresting people."

He said another shop belonging to his brother at the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan, adjacent to the TSC, was also knocked down.

"They also sealed off the gates… Setting up a new shop in a different place requires a lot of money. Where will we get that kind of money now? We have families to feed… what will we do now?"

Another tea vendor, Malek, echoed him.