Desk Report: Dhaka’s traders at the Eastern Plaza Shopping Complex have staged a human chain and held a press conference, demanding protection of the market’s traditional multi-product business environment and the rights of shop owners and traders.

The protesters alleged that an interest group, led by the shopping complex’s current shop owners’ association secretary, Shawkat Ali, was attempting to evict traders who had been operating businesses on the second and third floors for years. They claimed the move was intended to turn the shopping complex increasingly towards mobile phone businesses, threatening the livelihoods, investments and employment of many traders.

The programme was held on Monday, with participants warning that any move to transform Eastern Plaza into a predominantly mobile phone market would undermine its long-established commercial identity and deprive customers of the convenience of buying different types of products under one roof.

The traders also alleged that attempts were being made to remove existing businesses despite legal restrictions and court orders. They claimed that outsiders had been used to intimidate and threaten traders on the second and third floors to make way for more mobile phone shops.

However, Shawkat Ali and other representatives of the parties accused were not available for comment on the allegations.

According to the protesting traders, Eastern Plaza is one of Dhaka’s well-known shopping complexes, recognised for its diverse range of products and services.

They said that when the complex was established, shops on different floors were sold by Eastern Housing authorities to traders dealing in different categories of products, in accordance with a plan approved by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).

The stated objective of the arrangement, they said, was to create a shopping destination where customers could purchase a wide variety of goods and access different services in one place.

Under the existing arrangement described by the traders, the ground floor houses cosmetics, crockery, handicrafts, salons, beauty parlours and toy shops. The second floor accommodates sari shops, fabric businesses and tailoring services, while the third floor has ready-made garments, three-piece outfits and children`s products.

The fourth floor features jewellery, footwear and leather goods, while the fifth floor houses mobile phones, electronics, watches, spectacles and other products. Fast-food outlets are also available on every floor.

The traders said this diversified business model had helped Eastern Plaza build a strong reputation among customers from Dhaka and other parts of the country over more than three decades.

They warned that changing the market`s commercial structure could cause significant financial losses to shop owners and traders who had invested in their businesses over the years.

The protesters further claimed that the officer-in-charge of Kalabagan Police Station had visited the market several times and urged the parties concerned to respect court orders.

Despite those interventions, the alleged attempts to change the business arrangements were continuing, according to the traders.

They argued that mobile phone and electronics businesses already operate on the fifth floor, making the proposed expansion of similar businesses onto the second and third floors inconsistent with the complex`s traditional multi-product character.

The allegations, including the claims of intimidation and non-compliance with court orders, could not be independently verified. The specific court orders and relevant documents were not made available at the programme, and the accused parties` responses could not be obtained.

Referring to the government`s slogan, “Bangladesh First,” the traders said protecting small and medium-sized businesses was essential to safeguarding livelihoods, employment and the broader national economy.

They stressed that any changes to the market`s business structure should take into account the approved plan, applicable laws, court orders and the interests of all stakeholders.

At the press conference, the traders placed three key demands: proper implementation of the approved plan, relevant laws and court orders; preservation of Eastern Plaza`s heritage and multi-product business environment; and protection of the rights and interests of traders operating different types of businesses in the complex.

They called on the relevant authorities, law enforcement agencies, the media and concerned citizens to look into the matter and take effective steps to prevent any trader from losing the right to operate a business in a shop they had purchased.

The dispute highlights the importance of transparency and legal compliance in managing commercial properties, particularly where changes to business arrangements could affect established investments and employment.

The traders said a fair resolution would require the relevant authorities to examine the approved layout, applicable legal provisions and court orders before taking appropriate action.

For now, the central issue remains whether the market`s existing commercial arrangements can be preserved while ensuring that the rights of all concerned parties are respected under the law.