No notice to be served when demolishing illegal structures: DNCC mayor

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam has said no notice will be issued when demolishing illegal structures in the city corporation areas.

"I will go to the spot and demolish the illegal structure with the help of the people because illegal occupants know their establishments are illegal. So, they will be evicted without prior notice," said the mayor while inspecting the demolition of illegal establishments in Pallabi of Mirpur 11 on Friday.

The mayor also said those who have built these buildings, have done so with the help of someone – anyone from the DNCC, Rajuk or Ministry of Housing and Public Works may be involved.

"The large buildings may belong to influential people and even be patronised by political parties. Whoever they are, they will not be spared," the mayor warned.

The mayor further said an opportunistic group has been taking special advantage by illegally occupying places on both sides of Road 4 of Mirpur 11, since independence. The opportunistic community has occupied it by constructing many large establishments, shops and schools. 

"We have tried many times to demolish them but have not succeeded. This time it has been made possible with the help of the local people and all the affiliated organisations of Bangladesh Awami League," he added.

"The city corporation will do the road marking for the alignment of different houses. We are going to start our work with that marking. It will be about two-kilometres long and 65 feet wide. We have already allocated Tk30 crore for this road and will complete the work with this allocation," he continued.

DNCC Regional Executive Officer (Region 2) and Executive Magistrate ASM Safiul Azam and Executive Magistrate Tajwar Akram Sakapi Ibn Sajjad led the demolition drive on Friday.

In a two-day demolition drive, the DNCC evicted the occupants of more than 400 illegal houses, shops and other structures, plus razed the establishments.