What about the food carts?

The food carts of the city’s Shahbagh area are still awaiting permission to reopen business as the police keep them on hold out of security concerns.

Around 80 food carts were handed over in April to trained vendors by the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sayeed Khokon.

The DSCC and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) had trained the 80 food vendors.

The food carts were launched with funding from the United National Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to ensure safe and hygienic food on Dhaka streets.

However, police later shut down all the food carts alleging that these were causing a security threat in the area.

Shahbagh police officer in-charge Abu Bakar Siddique said, “The food carts drew crowds in front the museum which is a security concern.”

“We don’t allow any kind of gatherings from the Shahbagh intersection till the mausoleum of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam for security reasons as
bloggers gather in that area on a regular basis,” OC added. There was apparently a fear of militants carrying out their subversive activities in crowded areas of the vicinity.

He also said that the restrictions were imposed following orders from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.

Local politicians are trying to resolve the issue so the vendors can start the food carts again.

“We are trying to reach a compromise on the issue and perhaps the food carts can be set up in other parts of the area,” said Motilal Rai, Awami League president of ward 21.

He also added that selecting locations for the food carts was not done properly as the space in front of museum is not big enough to accommodate so many carts at a time.

DSCC chief health officer Brig Gen Saidur Rahman said, “We have been informed about the issue and hope that the matter will be resolved before Eid.”

He said they will discuss the matter with all concerned and end the crisis.

The food cart vendors said they have met the local ward councilor, city corporation officials and also the police but no one came forward to rescue them from the predicament.

Food vendor Haroon said, “The police suddenly closed down the food carts indefinitely, dealing a blow to business. Things are so bad, I can’t even afford to send my kids to school now.”

He said the vendors were waiting for a decision from the administration.