Bangladesh begins demolishing unauthorised establishments in terror-hit diplomatic zone

As many as 10 unauthorised establishments in Gulshan bore the brunt of RAJUK mobile court which has set out to demolish all illegal establishments inside the diplomatic area.

The site of the unprecedented attack on Holey Artisan Bakery and O’ Kitchen in Gulshan-2 had claimed 22 lives – 17 foreigners, three Bangladeshis and two policemen.

The RAJUK mobile court started its operation at 11:45am on Tuesday, two days behind schedule.

One beauty parlour, one travel agency and five restaurants and fast food joints were razed by the RAJUK during a five-hour operation across four apartments in the area.

The team sealed Easter Tours and Travels, a travel agency, and Mullik Snacks, a fast food joint on the ground floor of a three-storey building at Road 1 in Gulshan-1.

Food Palace, another eatery on the second floor of the same building, was also demolished.

The court found that the building did not have the permits to allow commercial use of the apartment. The court disconnected gas and power supplies to the building before demolishing the establishments.

On Road 2, the court razed CFC, a fast food joint housed in a five-storey building. A beauty parlour on the second floor was sealed.

The other establishments that faced the fury of the court are located in and around Gulshan 1.

The government decided to clear unauthorised commercial establishments in the residential areas of Gulshan following the July 1 terror attack.

The Holey Artisan cafe that became the target of the militants is located in Gulshan 2.

A RAJUK employee said the drive would carry on for 21 working days.

The owner of the Gulshan-1 building, Viqarunnisa Dina said RAJUK had allowed her time until Oct 4 to remove the establishments.

She complained that the “sudden” drive has made her count losses.

Khondokar Waliur Rahman, the executive magistrate leading the mobile court, said the notice was a part of the regular RAJUK activity.

“Today’s drive was conducted by mobile court. Mobile courts require no such notices,” he said.