PM vows crackdown on land grabbing and violence
Following the September 25 attack on the Radda Clinic in Mirpur, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) officials and law enforcement personnel faced violent resistance during an eviction drive against illegal foot-path occupants on Wednesday. Clashes between occupiers and authorities turned the area into a battleground, highlighting the persistent challenges of political lawlessness. The attempt to seize clinic land under cover of darkness allegedly involved reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Misti. Demonstrating zero tolerance for political misconduct, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requested MP Misti’s resignation immediately upon returning from the UN-General Assembly. She tendered her resignation to the Speaker on Thursday, and Parliament officially declared her seat vacant.
Public frustration over extortion, land grabbing, and mob violence has escalated across the country. However, the government’s swift action against a newly appointed MP signals a decisive shift away from administrative impunity. Beyond high-profile cases, authorities must prosecute all perpetrators of political violence and illegal encroachments, including the attack on content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio in South Manikdi. Footpaths belong exclusively to pedestrians, and the public expects permanent, effective enforcement rather than token clearing operations.
In the wake of the July uprising, the public will no longer tolerate political criminality. In addition to MP Misti’s removal, the administration dissolved local BNP and affiliate committee leadership in Dhaka North, expelling 14 leaders. Addressing the issue, Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for hawker rehabilitation, while raising concerns about uncoordinated drives in his constituency. Government Advisor Mahdee Amin reiterated that lawbreakers will face strict action regardless of political affiliation. To maintain democratic stability and public trust, law enforcement agencies must actively enforce the Prime Minister’s directive and eliminate political patronage within their ranks.
