The Chattogram railway authorities launched a drive to recover 20 acres of its land in Debarpar Jharnapara area under Pahartali Thana of the port city on Sunday.
Nearly 1,000 illegal establishment were demolished during the first phase of drives on the Sunday, Railway real estate officer Md Mahbubul Karim told the Bangladesh Post.
More illegal structures will be removed on Monday, he added.
The eviction campaign drew mixed reactions with locals calming the railways conducting the drive without any prior announcement.
As a result, they did not get the time to relocate their properties.
Official Karim, however, said otherwise
He said giving a notice prior to an eviction campaign is only necessary when the land is leased to someone.
The Railway authorities did not lease these lands to anyone so there was no need for a notice before the drive, Karim said adding they, however, warned the illegal occupants verbally prior to Sunday’s drive.
Railway officials, police and Railway Nirapotta Bahini personnel were present during the eviction drive.
