Narayanganj, May 16 (V7N) — Authorities in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, conducted a large-scale eviction drive on Thursday to remove illegal structures from government-owned land at the busy Mograpara intersection along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway.
 
Led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Farzana Rahman, the operation lasted from morning until late afternoon. The demolition targeted over 2,000 illegal establishments that had been built on land owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD). Among the structures torn down were political offices — including an Awami League local office — fruit stalls, sweet shops, and various commercial establishments.
 
The operation was carried out with the support of Assistant Commissioner (Land) Manjur Morshed, Kanchpur Circle Assistant Commissioner Segufta Mehnaz, Sonargaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mofizur Rahman, and Kanchpur Highway Police Station OC Kazi Wahid Morshed.
 
According to local residents, while such eviction drives are not new, they have largely failed to produce lasting results due to poor follow-up and alleged political protection. “Despite repeated drives, these structures return within weeks,” said one shopkeeper, adding that local influential figures allegedly rent out the highway land in exchange for money.
 
The same area was previously cleared in an eviction drive on February 12, but within three months, illegal vendors had re-established themselves. Locals report that this cycle of occupation and eviction has been ongoing for years.
 
Residents also alleged that during the tenure of the ruling Awami League, a syndicate of powerful individuals profited by leasing out encroached land, collecting millions of taka in illicit rent. “When one group flees, another takes over using the same extortion methods,” said a community leader who requested anonymity. “Even when the government changes, the extortion doesn’t stop.”
 
The demolished area included three makeshift markets (kacha bazaars) and more than 2,000 illegal shops, many of which were re-established after earlier demolitions. Small business owners affected by the drive are now calling for long-term supervision and permanent solutions, expressing frustration over the lack of enforcement and the cycle of corruption.
 
Despite the challenges, officials have pledged to continue efforts to reclaim and protect public land. However, without sustained monitoring and action against those backing the encroachments, locals fear the land will once again fall prey to unauthorized occupation.
 
END/AJ/SMA/