The DCC declared Muktangon a free space for holding political and social programmes under the past Awami League government.

Scores of commercial microbuses fill large parts of the space every day giving money to the employees and force activists to huddle together or spill over to nearby footpath or busy road.

An official of the Estate Department of DCC, however, denied money making by employees.

"In the last six months, we evicted them several times. But they entered the place soon after removal every time as Muktangon does not have boundary walls."

And Zakir Hossain, general secretary of Muktangon Microbus Owners Association admitted evictions by the DCC, but dismissed the suggestion of disturbing rallies.

"We take out all microbuses when political activists come to hold rallies, hunger strikes or any other programme."

He claimed that they were running the renting business ever since they developed the space filling lowlands 15 to 20 years ago.

Leader of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) Hasanul Haq Inu stressed the need for preserving the venue for holding rallies and other programmes according to the DCC declaration, evicting encroachers.

A leader of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) echoed the same voice. He also called for preservation of some more spaces for the purpose.

According to the drivers, about 80 microbuses that park in Muktangon pay Tk 1,000 each a month to two separate owners and workers associations -- Tk 800 to the owners and Tk 200 to the workers groups.

A driver said the associations did not use the funds for the welfare of the drivers or owners.

Transport leaders, police, political influentials and the DCC employees share the money, he said.

Another driver, however, dismissed the allegation.

Zakir Hossain said they stopped taking contributions to the their fund following a government directive and ruled out the involvement of DCC employees.

Rafiq Bhuiyan, President of the Muktangon Microbus Owners Association, could not be reached for comment.