Roads and Highways Department land and footpaths at Dulivita bus stand in Dhamrai municipality, Dhaka, have reportedly been occupied again after an eviction drive. During the June 6 operation, hawkers allegedly attacked the eviction team, leaving bulldozer driver Monir Hossain and his assistant Abbas Hossain bloodied and injuring four others. Authorities suspended the operation and sent the injured to hospital.

Two days later, a renewed operation led by then Assistant Commissioner (Land) Ridwan Ahmed Rafi and RHD Nayahat subdivision engineer Nure Alam Siddiqui demolished about 100 illegal structures and recovered government land. Local sources said the municipality had long leased out RHD land along the Dhaka-Aricha highway. Lessee Habibur Rahman said he collected fees under a municipal tender.

Nure Alam Siddiqui said RHD lacks a specific budget to preserve land after eviction. He said the municipality has no authority to lease RHD land and had already received a letter requesting it stop illegal leasing. Upazila Executive Officer Al Mamun said officials would soon discuss the matter with the local MP and vehicle owners’ association before taking action.