We fully endorse the Mayor of Dhaka (North) City Corporation's move to free public spaces of illegal occupation and make them available for the benefit of the general public. However, we strongly denounce the unruly behaviour of some of the so-called transport workers who resorted to violence and even confined the Mayor for three hours. Not only that, on-duty journalists were also subjected to assault. A large part of the main thoroughfare in Tejgaon was blocked, resulting in heavy traffic congestion in the capital.  This is totally unacceptable. 

As the matter stands, a good part of Tejgaon-Sat Rasta area is occupied by trucks parked helter skelter at any time of the day, impeding vehicular movement. The terminal that was built 72 years ago is now inadequate to house trucks, resulting in illegal parking in the adjoining areas. To make matters even more grievous, the land of the terminal has been encroached upon over the years where illegal structures have been built by individuals. 

The action of the Mayor was indeed in public interest, which, it is now apparent, did not go down well with some elements in the transport workers union. Cleaning one of the busiest roads in the city will considerably reduce trip time and vehicular queuing. The Mayor has said that he will not bow down to muscle power, and we hope that he will not. 

No public space can be occupied by any private establishment. In this regard we urge the Mayor of Dhaka (South) City Corporation to replicate his DNCC counterpart's move to rid the capital of illegal establishments.