30 injured in police, residents clash

Khulna Bureau :

The eviction drive began on Sunday morning to give the plot owners their land.

From the beginning, the residents blocked the area by burning tires and throwing tree stumps. The clash began when the police started baton charging after 10 am.

At that time, the police were forced to retreat when the locals threw bricks and stones. Later, the police fired tear gas. At that time, the bulldozer vehicle that was going to the eviction drive was broken.

The locals claim that they will not allow the eviction unless rehabilitation arrangements are made.

The police say that the eviction drive has been suspended for the time being on the orders of the magistrate. About 200 families are living on a 2-acre land in Mujgunni, Khulna.

However, in 1987, the housing authority sold this adjacent land in the form of a plot through a lottery. Even after 35 years, the owners of 42 plots there have still not received their land.

Khalishpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mira Tahar Ali said, “We went to the National Housing Authority under the leadership of the magistrate to assist in the eviction process.

When we went to remove them, they threw bricks and stones at the police.

They had made preparations in advance. 14 policemen, including me, were injured in their attack.”