They also demanded their rehabilitation, compensation and punishment to those involved in evicting them.

"We have been living under the sky for over a month," said Jayantanath Roy, convenor of the Committee for Resistance against Eviction of 13 Minority Families at a press conference at the National Press Club.

He alleged that a land official of Sreebardi upazila with around 20 policemen and local miscreants evicted the families on January 13 and 23.

"During the eviction, the males were at work and we appealed for time, but the official did not pay heed," said Arati, a housewife.

"The miscreants also ransacked our houses and looted all our valuables and belongings," she added.

The then Zamindars gave around 10-katha land to the lower-class residents for serving them some nine generations ago, which is now considered khas land, said the committee members.

The families, comprising about 60 people, also sought help from the district commissioner and the thana nirbahi officer, but no steps have been taken yet to address their problems, they said.