BELONIA, August 20 (TIWN): In a demolition drive, South Tripura District Administration, NF Railway authorities here pulled down several houses within the Manur Mukh near Belonia and evicted over 50 families in order to clear the passage for the construction of broad gauge tracks. The eviction drive, which began on Wednesday, will be continued till next Tuesday. According to the Railway authorities, the families were already informed earlier about the drive. DM South ,Dr Debasis Basu,IAS along with SP South Bhanupada Chakraborty were present while conducting Eviction Drive.The evicted families had earlier contacted political leaders after they received the notices and sought their intervention, demanding their rehabilitation in that area at Manur Mukh.

Residents of the locality maintained that after the receipt of the notice from the Government , they were preparing to vacate the space. Few local people were arrested while they were protesting the eviction today though the situation is normal afterwards according to SP South. 

Land allottment issue for setting up of Railway line created tense situation in Manurmukh area under Belonia Sub-Division of South Tripura District. On Wednesday morning police arrested local people protesting against eviction drive. Of  them 2 persons fell ill and is admitted to Belonia Hospital.

According to the local sources, earlier 3years back administration started planning for setting up a railway track at Manurmukh area. Officials also held a meeting with the local peoples. Local people agreed to give up their land but in return of proper payment. Then Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury had assured them to do all the needful maintaining administrative process.

Even though 3 years had already passed, but no proper steps yet been taken. In the mean time on Wednesday morning District Magistrate with Superintendent of Police of South Tripura District and huge forces of Police reached the spot and started their work of setting up railway line without meeting the demands of the local people.

They also shouted slogan against Badal Chowdhury as "cheater of the people". After that police had arrested many local people and took them in a school field along the side of the police station. Of them two persons fell ill and is shifted to hospital. Their condition is stable now, hospital sources informed. The local people demanded until and unless their demand fulfilled, the movement will continue.

However the administration turned a deaf ear to agitating peoples demands and continued their eviction drive. It is also to be mentioned that yesterday administration had held a meeting with the local people but no solution came out. Around 33 families will be affected by this as demanded by the protestors. The situation of the area remains tensed.