The Rangpur district administration has evicted around 50 families from their houses on an eight-hour notice in Rangpur city's Central Road area.
Several hundred people from those families had been living in the houses for over 50 years but faced eviction during a raid by the district administration, police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members on Monday.
Due to the short notice, these hapless families did not get time to move their furniture elsewhere.
The drive was led by Revenue Deputy Collector (RDC) Mahmud Hasan Mridha and two executive magistrates.
Local people said the officials started evicting the residents forcefully, leaving many items damaged during the process.
They alleged another 100 men — wearing red headbands — joined the administration in the eviction drive. They sought some time to shift their belongings, but their requests were denied.
A resident, Maleka Begum, said: We have been living on this abandoned land with our families for the last 50 years. Eviction at short notice and without arranging any alternative accommodation is inhumane.
“We don't have any land. Where will so many families go?”
Another resident, Mumtaz Mia, said: “We were evicted and made homeless, and now they will build houses for officials. Where will we go with our families?”
Asked about the drive, RDC Mahmud Hossain Mridha said: “We have completed all the procedures to conduct the eviction. Various buildings will be constructed at this place, including residential buildings for officials. But if they (the locals) apply, then alternative accommodation will be arranged for them.”
