DNCC Eviction Drive in Nikunja: Food Court on Playground Intact, Locals Erupt in Anger

Special Correspondent: Following prolonged and forceful demands from local residents and continuous media coverage regarding the encroachment of Nikunja’s footpaths, playground, and other areas, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) conducted an eviction drive in the Nikunja area today, Monday, around 12:00 PM.

The operation was led by DNCC Executive Magistrate Marufa Akter Neli.

While the DNCC authority initiated the drive to remove illegal structures from footpaths and roadsides, the highly controversial food court inside the area’s playground remained untouched. This has sparked intense anger and frustration among hundreds of Nikunja residents.

The eviction drive commenced from the eastern end of Road No. 1 in Nikunja-2 and proceeded around the playground located on Road Nos. 5 and 8, passing behind Dhaka Regency. Although several illegal occupations on footpaths and roadsides were cleared, the biggest issue—the widely discussed food court inside the playground—was not evicted.

Hundreds of locals present during the drive welcomed the DNCC’s action but immediately expressed strong resentment over the food court’s non-eviction. They asserted that the food court, which is destroying the environment and purpose of the playground, was the primary target for the eviction.

When journalists sought a comment from the magistrate in charge, Marufa Akter Neli, she declined to speak on the matter.

However, a DNCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the playground is the property of RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha), and therefore, removing illegal structures inside the field is not within their jurisdiction, nor is it within the City Corporation’s.

Local residents have labeled the DNCC’s ‘selective’ eviction drive as a ‘show-off’ and ‘eyewash.’

Rana Ibrahim, a resident of Nikunja, expressed his disappointment: “This DNCC eyewash operation will be of no benefit to the locals. Our main demand was the eviction of the playground’s food court at any cost. But the City Corporation didn’t even touch the core problem; they just bypassed it. This is extreme neglect of public demand.”

Jahid Ikbal, a permanent resident and Convenor of the Khilkhet Tanpara Kalyan Society, complained: “By not removing the food court from the playground today, the DNCC has practically ignored public demand. Moreover, despite the initial plan, a full-scale operation from the eastern end to the western end of Road No. 1 was not conducted. The locals witnessed a brief, quick ‘eyewash’ eviction drive by the DNCC that achieved nothing substantial. The biggest demand of the people was that the food court should not be allowed to remain in the playground.”

Khilkhet Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Md. Sajjad Hossain, reiterated the commitment to protecting the lives and property of the area’s residents. He stated: “We are always ready to take any initiative in the public interest and welfare to protect the lives and property of the local people. From now on, no obstruction on public roads will be tolerated. Khilkhet Thana Police is working continuously with the people to ensure safe and unhindered public life.”

The residents of Nikunja have been making strong demands for the permanent closure of the food court inside the field through an eviction drive for a long time. Numerous news reports have also been published on this matter. However, as the DNCC conducted a very brief operation without removing the food court from the playground, the entire community of Nikunja is now simmering with intense anger instead of relief and joy. Locals urge that instead of shifting blame or getting entangled in legal complexities, the DNCC and RAJUK should take coordinated action immediately to evict the food court from the Nikunja playground in the public interest.