150 illegal structures on rly land demolished

The authorities of Bangladesh Railway on Tuesday knocked down some 150 illegal structures, including a two-storied market and a residential hotel, on railway land beside Chatmohar Railway Station in Pabna. 

Moshtaque Ahmed, estate officer of railway in Pakshey division, and Mizanur Rahman, executive magistrate, led the drive with the help of the local administration and law enforcement agencies. 

"Influential people illegally occupied the land in Chatmohar station area and built hundreds of structures, including a concrete market, along the rail tracks. Due to the lack of manpower, we could not conduct a drive earlier," Md Robiul Islam, assistant estate officer of Railway Pakshey division, said. The drive will continue, he added.

"The railway authorities conducted the drive without issuing prior notices, causing huge loss to the traders," evicted traders alleged. 

Mulgram Union Parishad Chairman Gias Uddin demanded compensation for the evicted traders, saying the railway authorities had not stopped building of the market earlier. The traders are facing huge loss due to sudden eviction so they should be compensated, he added.

Grabbers occupied railway land and constructed market and shops illegally, so the railway is not responsible for that, Robiul Islam said, adding that the railway authorities had earlier informed them about the eviction drive.