Clash erupts as DNCC launches eviction drive in Pallabi

An eviction drive by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) at Millat Bihari Camp of Mirpur’s Pallabi area on Sunday ended up in a clash involving police, camp residents and Awami League activists. The clash erupted when a DNCC mobile court, led-by Executive Magistrate Mohammad Sajid Anwar, started evicting illegal structures beside Millat Bihari Camp in the morning. The locals alleged that they had sought some time to remove the household goods and assets, but police started charging batons on them. Some local Awami League men, led by Ward 5 Councillor Abdur Rouf Nannu, were also present there, they added. At one point, the camp residents hurled bricks towards the law enforcers that eventually turned into a spate of chases and counter-chases between the sides. Mujtari Begum, a 70-year-old resident of the camp, told the Dhaka Tribune that she had asked for some time to remove the goods from her house, but the officials did not pay any heed to her. She also alleged that police members had beaten up her daughter. Najma Begum, Mahrunnesa, Sultana Begum and several other among the evicted people claimed that at least 200 houses were destroyed during the drive. About 500 families that used to live in those houses are are now living under the open sky. Pallabi police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Dadan Fakir told the Dhaka Tribune that police had brought the situation under control immediately after the clash. No one was injured or arrested in the incident, he added. Tension prevailed in the area. Local Awami League activists took positions at different places including in front of the councillor’s office. Police have been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Urdu Speaking Peoples’ Youth Rehabilitation Movement President Sadaqat Khan Fakku alleged that the DNCC authority had not issued any notice before the eviction. Executive Magistrate Mohammad Sajid Anwar refused the allegation and said several notices had earlier been issued in that connection. Local Councillor Abdur Rouf Nannu denied the allegation of the presence of ruling party men during the police action. “I went there as the local councillor to help the city corporation, nothing else,” he said.