All the civic services under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have come to a grinding halt due to continuous protests in and around Nagar Bhaban by the supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain for five consecutive days.
The services that remain halted include waste management, mosquito control, birth and death registration, and trade licencing.
The protest, which began on May 14, intensified over the weekend as protesters under the banner 'Dhakabashi' padlocked the main entrance to Nagar Bhaban and continued their sit-in for the fifth consecutive day on Monday.
Supporters of Ishraque threatened to stage further sit-in protest in front of DSCC headquarters on Tuesday morning.
As part of their continued agitation, the protesters enforced a complete blockade surrounding the Nagar Bhaban area.
The blockade has also severely hampered the operations of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD), which shares the premises.
Protesters have blocked both sides of the road running from Gulistan to Nagar Bhaban since 10:00am each day, causing severe traffic snarl in surrounding areas.
On a typical day, between 5,000 and 7,000 people visit Nagar Bhaban to access key services such as birth and death registration, trade licence applications, renewals, and tax payments--all of which remain suspended as of Monday.
Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Narinda who went to the DSCC to register the births of his two daughters, said, "I need their birth certificates to apply for passports as we're planning to go abroad, but I can't proceed."
Amirul Haque from Shantinagar added, "If the city corporation remains shut like this, we won't be able to avail of any services."
A senior DSCC Revenue Department official confirmed that all revenue-related operations, including at regional offices, are currently suspended.
"We cannot issue or renew trade licences or process certificates due to the blockade," the official said.
Citing the protest, engineers at DSCC warned that paper works and supervision of essential infrastructure projects such as road repairs and drainage improvements are now in limbo.
"If this continues, monsoon-related issues will escalate," one engineer said.
"Contractors are awaiting payments ahead of Eid, and delays are affecting both labourers and suppliers."
Health officials have also raised concerns that the interruption in mosquito repellent distribution could increase the risk of a severe dengue outbreak in the capital.
Meanwhile, preparations for Eid-ul-Azha have been disrupted. Only five of the nine temporary cattle markets have been leased, as the vetting committee responsible for tender evaluations has not met due to the shutdown.
Officials from the DSCC Property Division confirmed that the process is on hold following the unrest.
DSCC's planning for the national Eid congregation at the National Eidgah has similarly stalled.
DSCC Administrator Md Shahjahan Mia said, "We've been unable to provide any services for several days. Files are inaccessible. Our garbage trucks are not operational because we can't issue fuel slips. Mosquito repellents remain locked in the store. Even tender evaluations for cattle market leases are on hold."
The impact of the blockade extends beyond DSCC. The LGRD Ministry is now partially non-functional, with Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi operating from the Secretariat and the ministry's adviser temporarily relocated to the National Sports Council building.
Speaking at a press briefing recently, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain distanced himself from the protest.
"I did not call for this movement. I cannot say who locked the Nagar Bhaban gates. I urge protesters not to cause public suffering," he said.
"However, I cannot deny anyone their right to protest. Many citizens are on the streets today to make their voices heard," he added.
Ishraque supporters to resume sit-in today
Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain will stage a sit-in protest in front of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) headquarters today from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
The announcement was made this afternoon from a temporary stage, set up in front of Nagar Bhaban.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters under the banner Dhakabashi, organiser and former secretary Moshiur Rahman said, "If this demand is not met by tomorrow, the government will have to bear the consequences. The government must be prepared for any situation."
Moshiur also strongly condemned the government's indifference to the demands of the city's residents and criticised its "reckless attitude".
