Narail Correspondent 

Government tree theft and sale have been reported in Shahabad, a union of Narail Sadar Upazila. In this connection, a case has been filed against 13 individuals including the chairman of the union parishad, Ziaur Rahman.

 The case was filed on the night of Wednesday (April 30) at Narail Sadar Police Station by Shahabad Union Land Assistant Officer Mashiur Rahman. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Narail Sadar Police Station, Md. Sajedul Islam, confirmed the filing of the case on Thursday (May 1).

The other accused named in the case include Shahab Uddin, Area Manager of Proshika Narail Development Area, and President of Proshika-formed organization Probhaati Jubosongho, Mujibur Rahman of Tujordanga area in Narail Sadar Upazila. Other members from the same area named are: Jarina Begum, Rojob Ali, Md. Azibor, Md. Eliash, Iman Ali, Md. Omar, Md. Haidar, Abu Sayeed, Md. Enamul, and Md. Shariful.

In the case statement, the plaintiff alleged that on April 29, upon receiving information about trees being cut down and sold from government roadside land from Shahabad Bazar to Hajir Bottola in Narail Sadar Upazila, he went to the location. Upon reaching the spot, he saw a truck and a Nosimon (local vehicle) loaded with the cut trees, which were seized by Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Narail Sadar Upazila, Debashish Adhikari. Upon interrogating workers at the scene and investigating further, it was learned that the accused had cut and sold trees from government khas land without any permission. Previously, they had also sold trees from the same land once before. Upon inspecting the seized tree logs, branches, and remnants from previously cut trees near the site, it was estimated that trees worth over five lakh taka were stolen, cut, and sold.

Narail Sadar Police Station’s OC Md. Sajedul Islam said a case has been filed for theft and sale of government trees. Legal action will be taken against the guilty following investigation.

Narail Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Debashish Adhikari said that during Proshika’s agreement, the road was on privately-owned land, but in 2015 it became part of government khas land. Cutting trees from khas land is illegal. Hence, the case has been filed against them.