Rajuk, police demolish illegal structures at Tongi drug hotspot

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) have jointly carried out an eviction drive at Haji’s Mazar slum in Tongi, known locally as a major drug hotspot, demolishing illegal structures and reclaiming a Rajuk plot that had remained under unlawful occupation for years.

The drive began around 11:30am today (31 August) near the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in Tongi Bazar, led by a Rajuk executive magistrate. Payloaders, excavators and a large number of workers took part in the demolition, while a large police contingent was deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

The operation was directly supervised by Rajuk Deputy Director (Estate and Land-3) Md Liton Sarker, while GMP Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Md Belayet Hossain oversaw security arrangements.

Locals said Haji’s Mazar slum had long been known as one of the area’s main centres for drug trading. Although police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and other law enforcement agencies had conducted repeated raids, drug dealers had continued to operate there.

Following the operation, Belayet Hossain said authorities would maintain a strict stance against drugs. “Such drives will play an effective role in freeing Tongi from the social curse of drugs and reclaiming government land,” he said.

Liton Sarker said the Rajuk plot had been under the control of illegal occupants for a long time. “With the administration’s assistance, we demolished the illegal structures and took back possession of the plot,” he said.

Rajuk and the administration said the reclaimed land would remain under strict and continuous surveillance to prevent illegal structures from being rebuilt or a new drug hotspot from emerging.