Abu Sayem, Cox’s Bazar: An eviction drive was conducted at PanerchharaRange under the Cox`s Bazar South Forest Department and demolished illegal establishments while constructing betel leaf enclosure illegally yesterday. As a result, about 50 per cent of the land has been rescued from the hands of land grabbers. No one could be arrested in this connection. Range Officer Touhidur Rahman Togar led the drive in collaboration with BIT officials and CPG members on 18 September (Saturday) in the protected forest area of Panerchhara bit under PanerchharaRange and removed illegally constructed betel leaf enclosure. He says, “We will crack down on those who are forcibly occupying the lands of the forest department. Fifty per cent of the land has been rescued on the eve of setting up illegal betel leaf enclosure in the forest department`s land.” Panerchhara bit officer CPG members and staff took part in the operation. Range officer also said preparations were underway to take legal action against those involved. Md. Humayun Kabir, Divisional Forest Officer, Cox`s Bazar South Forest Department, said that the forest department is trying to recover the government forest land. If anyone builds a facility on government land, it will be evicted and I will play a vital role in protecting the forest by conducting a campaign against the occupiers. The operation will be carried out to bring the land under the law of forcible occupation and hill people. He called for cooperation in suppressing forest crime with information.