DADU, Nov 5: In an anti-encroachment drive the railway authorities demolished about 40 houses and shops in the Railway Colony here on Tuesday.

The railways authorities also issued notices to 400 residents to vacate what they termed illegally constructed buildings.

The angry residents held a demonstration against the demolition drive. The police resorted to baton-charge to disperse the protesters, in which four persons were injured.

During the anti-encroachment drive, launched in the Railway Colony and around the Dadu Railway Station, three teams of the railways police, demolished 40 shops, houses, bungalows and hotels.

Later, a large number of the residents of the colony and its surrounding areas held a demonstration outside the Railways police station against the demolition of their properties.

They were carrying banners and placards and chanting slogans against the railways officials.

Speaking at the rally, the leader of the protesters, Ali Bukhsh, said that they were living in the area for the last 40 years and they had stay orders from the court.

In order to disperse the protesters, the police resorted to baton-charge in which four persons were injured.

MPA-elect Marvi Mazharul Haq arrived on the spot and assured the protesters that the demolition drive would be stopped and a committee would be constituted to investigate into the incident of baton-charge. On the assurance, the protesters dispersed.

According to the railways authorities the eviction notices had been sent 15 days ago but the residents said that they had received the notices on Tuesday.

DEMO: A large number of the residents of Shaikh Gulab village, Dadu taluka, held a demonstration against a head constable of the Dadu police, Roshan Bhutto, here on Tuesday.