Clash Breaks Out Between DCC Shopkeepers And Police

A clash broke out between members of police and Hundreds of shopkeepers and shop owners of the capital’s DCC market (Gulshan Shopping Centre) this afternoon, hours after the latter blocked roads in Gulshan-1.

Shop owners and staffers took to the streets after Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) sealed off the market, located near the intersection of Gulshan-1, around 11:00am.

At around 3:45pm, the law enforcers charged truncheons on the traders, resulting in the clash.

The traders and staffers threw brick chips at the police, our staff reporter reports from the spot.

Windows of several vehicles were also broken.

Commuters of Gulshan, Banani and nearby areas experienced hardships due to traffic congestion after shop owners and employees blocked the roads.

The clash lasted for around 10 minutes. The situation in the area is now normal as the traders have left.

Md Shohidullah, deputy commissioner of Gulshan Division Police, said the shop employees blocked the road after authorities sealed off the market.

‘‘We requested them to talk to the authorities concerned. However, they continue to block the road … necessary actions were taken to remove them from the road,’’ he added.

Earlier in the afternoon, shop owners claimed that DNCC officials on June 8 issued a notice mentioning the market as a high-risk building in terms of safety and asked them to evacuate by July 30. But the DNCC sealed off the market before the specified deadline.

DNCC officials did not receive phone calls despite repeated attempts.

Abul Bashar, a shop owner, expressed his concerns, saying, ‘‘There are 731 shops in Gulshan Shopping Center. We have thousands of employees working in this market. What will become of them now?’’