At least 30 people, including police personnel and residents, were injured on Sunday during clashes that broke out amid an eviction drive in the Bastuhara Colony area of Khulna city's Mujgunni.
According to locals, the drive, launched in the morning to hand over plots to landowners, was met with resistance from residents, who blocked roads with tree trunks and burning tires.
Clashes erupted around 10am when police charged batons, prompting locals to hurl brickbats. Police later responded with tear gas shells.
During the chaos, a bulldozer used for the eviction was vandalised.
Residents said they would not allow eviction without rehabilitation.
Police, however, said the operation was carried out under magistrate orders but has since been halted.
Around 200 families have been living on the two-acre land of Mujgunni Bastuhara Colony. The National Housing Authority had allocated the land through lottery to 42 plot owners back in 1987, but they never received possession.
Khalishpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mir Atahar Ali said, “We went to assist the eviction under the leadership of a magistrate from the National Housing Authority. Residents attacked police with brickbats. They were well prepared. Fourteen policemen, including myself, were injured.”