Heavily armed police and soldiers moved in and demolished dozens of squatters' homes at Cashew Gardens, Longdenville in Central Trinidad on Friday.
The squatters moved in just before and after the general election and and started building homes. They claimed they were under the impression that they would not be evicted since the People's Partnership would protect squatters.
A manager with Smart Security Services said the action was authorised by the Land Settlement Agency.
"We were hired by the Estate Management Business Development Corporation to demolish the illegally erected properties. We are only acting under instruction," Hamid Mohammed, told reporters.
The squatting problem arose after then opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that a People's Partnership government would not break down squatters homes.
She was referring to long-standing squatters on State lands and promised to regularise their tenure.
However, some people interpreted the statement as an invitation to occupy new lands and that's what many people did.
Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal announced earlier this week that the government would be firm in dealing with the "land grab" problem.
He said some people were taking advantage of the situation, noting that the new squatters were highly organised and many had their own properties.
"What is astonishing is that some people held that up as a licence for lawlessness, to go on state lands with four ply boards and two-by-four pieces of wood and erect structures,” he added.
He said the government will fulfil a promise to regularise squatters who have been occupying lands since January 1, 1998.
Read the story: Moonilal will get tough on those involved in sudden land grab
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