Hasan Mahmud Rubel :Taking illegal possession of the footpath adjacent to Kabi Nazrul College and Government Muslim High School in the old part of the capital, at least 30 stalls have been set up there and thereby hinder the movement of pedestrians. Some leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), college unit, reportedly are behind the installation of the stalls for collecting money as subscription every month.The residents of the area have accused the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) of ignoring the people’s right to walk by the footpath, and for not taking measure to free it from illegal occupation.”The walkway has been grabbed illegally. So, when I with my child walk by the path, I feel insecure”, said Bina Khatun, a guardian of a student of class VI, with a tone of grievance.When contacted, Mohammad Selim, Counselor of Ward No. 42 of DSCC, said, it is not easy to evict the stalls as the owners enjoy blessings of an influential quarter. Some shopkeepers, with the request of anonymity, said there were 5-6 stalls of some three to four years ago. But with the passage of time, the number has increased to about 30 and at least Tk 2500-3000 is collected from each stall every month.An official of DSCC anonymously said, “The authority cannot oust the stalls from the footpath as the BCL leaders thwart to do so”. Rebuffing entire allegation, the college unit BCL President Mamunur Rashid Mamun said, the stalls have been illicitly established by local influencers on the footpath for trading unlawful business.
