The National Housing Authority conducted an eviction drive in Jessore, demolishing more than 400 illegal structures and recovering about five acres of government land valued at an estimated Tk 50 crore.
The operation, which began on Sunday morning and continued until 4:00 pm on Monday, was carried out in Gabtala intersection, B Block, High Court intersection, Dhaka Road and surrounding housing estate areas.
The drive was led by Khulna Divisional Executive Engineer Ziaur Rahman, with support from law enforcement agencies and local housing officials.
According to authorities, the land remained occupied for years, with unauthorized houses, shops, factories and political offices constructed on government land. Officials said several eviction notices had been issued over the past year, while loudspeaker announcements were made before the operation began.
During the demolition campaign, offices of both the Awami League and BNP were torn down along with hundreds of roadside structures. In the Amtala slum area alone, more than 200 makeshift houses and two factories were bulldozed. Authorities also demolished several homes built on state-owned land in different blocks of the housing estate.
Many residents protested during the operation, claiming they had not received proper notice before the eviction. The sudden drive has left hundreds of families displaced and uncertain about their future, they added.
Officials confirmed that similar eviction drives against illegal occupiers will continue.