Habiganj, JUNE 07 (V7N) - A mobile court in Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj has imposed a total fine of Tk 50,000 on 10 shop owners for illegally occupying footpaths and roads in the town's busiest market area. The operation, led by Upazila Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Zahid Bin Kashem and Army Warrant Officer Humayun Kabir, took place this morning.

During the drive, each of the 10 shop owners was fined Tk 5,000 for illegally conducting business on the streets within the market, specifically in areas such as the cloth alley, modak alley, and rickshaw alley. It is alleged that these shop owners not only encroached upon the streets but also collected rent from third parties for these occupied spaces. This encroachment has reportedly hampered the movement of ordinary shoppers and contributed to incidents of pickpocketing and theft.

The shop owners who were fined have been identified as Sarkar, Asim Roy, Liton Banik, Amar Debnath, Tanpal Pal, Jagadish Sarkar, Gautam Das, Bikash Roy, Paritosh Modak, and Krishna Das.

In addition to the market operation, efforts were also made at the bus stand and CNG stand on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to alleviate traffic congestion. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) also inspected the ongoing park construction project within the market area during the operation.

Two teams, one from Madhabpur police station and another from the army, provided assistance during the enforcement.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Zahid Bin Kashem stated, "Madhabpur Bazar is an important commercial center. Hundreds of people come here to shop every day. But the encroachment of the sidewalk has caused great public suffering. Therefore, this operation and fine have been conducted in the public interest."

END/MMA/RH