Case against tree lover Lutfar with two college going sons in Dinajpur
Maidul Islam Ripon, Dinajpur
Lutfar Rahman, a truck driver from Birampur Upazila known for voluntarily planting over 5,000 trees across his region, is now facing a lawsuit alongside his two college-aged sons, Hasen and Hossain, filed by the Forest Department.
In January 2024, Lutfar planted 20 mango tree saplings—sourced from the local agriculture office and supported by local representatives—around a community football field to provide shade. According to Lutfar and local residents, former Prayagpur Beat Officer Mahmudar Rahman falsely accused Lutfar of encroaching on forest land and demanded a bribe of Tk 50,000 to drop the matter. When Lutfar refused, the officer filed a lawsuit claiming Lutfar cleared saplings on forest land to cultivate paddy—a charge Lutfar notes is physically illogical due to the land's three-foot elevation.
Community members, local sports officials, and Union Parishad Chairman Chitt
a Ranjan Shaha have strongly rallied behind Lutfar, condemning the charges as baseless harassment.
Meanwhile, current Forest Department officials noted the matter is pending in court, while Upazila Executive Officer Tanjina Khatun stated she will investigate if a formal complaint is submitted.
