A major eviction drive has been launched to reclaim valuable real estate owned by Bangladesh Railway in Saidpur, Nilphamari. On Monday, the first day of the two-day special drive, 16 illegal residential houses and business establishments were demolished using bulldozers. The railway authorities are conducting this special operation to evict illegal structures that have cropped up over a long period on railway land, water bodies, and areas adjacent to the station. The drive, which started on Monday (June 8) morning, will continue until Tuesday. Extensive security measures were taken to prevent any untoward incidents during the operation, which was conducted jointly by the Paksey Division of Bangladesh Railway, Railway Security Force (RNB), Railway Police, and the local administration. According to railway sources, Saidpur, one of the country's most important and historic railway towns, contains about 850 acres of valuable railway land. More than half of this land has long been under the illegal occupation of various influential local individuals and groups. This valuable land has been grabbed through various irregularities, such as filling up government water bodies, constructing residential buildings, setting up business establishments, and building multi-storey structures in violation of lease conditions.
Md. Shofiqul Islam, Divisional Estate Officer (DEO) and Executive Magistrate of Paksey Division of Railway, who led the eviction drive, said that the water body in the Golahat area is the railway's own property. It was illegally filled up to construct residential houses. The matter came to the attention of the railway authorities after it was strongly reported in various media outlets. Subsequently, following an investigation and verification process, the eviction process against the illegal occupants was initiated. He further warned that strict action will be taken in phases not only against those occupying water bodies but also against anyone illegally occupying railway quarters, vacant land, land under agricultural lease, or any other railway property to build structures.
Top officials concerned, including Saidpur Railway Assistant Executive Engineer Tohidul Islam, Parbatipur Railway Official Mohsin Ali, Sub-Assistant Engineer Shariful Islam, and Railway Security Force (RNB) Chief Ahsan Habib, were present during today's operation. In addition, a large number of members from the Railway Police, RNB, and local police station performed strict duties to maintain law and order and prevent any kind of chaos during the eviction. The conscious local citizens have welcomed this initiative by the railway and expressed their hope that the actual railway land will be completely freed from illegal occupation.
