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Brazil on Monday deployed riot police to reclaim an illegal settlement created by workers in Sao Paulo, according to media reports.
Residents of the makeshift settlement of Pinheirinho slum in Sao Jose dos Campos attempted to deter police by setting cars on fire, according to the BBC, citing local officials.
Police told the broadcaster they have encountered little resistance and have taken control of the slum. The settlement was set up eight years ago, and until Monday’s 2,000-strong police action took over, around 6,000 people lived there.
The settlement was created on private land and eventually turned into a community. Local officials have been going to each house to evict families, saying they will move them to another location, according to the BBC.
At least 15 people were detained and one person was injured in the raid, reported Al-Jazeera.
Police in November raided the largest slum in Rio de Janeiro, Rocinha, which is home to around 100,000 people. The slum was considered one of the largest drug hubs in the country.
The 2014 World Cup is slated to play in several stadiums in cities across Brazil and authorities have said they would take control over the country’s slums to make way for tourism and massive crowds of people.