A local man, Md. Mahubar Rahman, has allegedly cut trees on the roadside in the area adjacent to the Maheshpur crematorium in Mominpur Union of Rangpur Sadar Upazila.
On going to the spot, it was seen that a tree had been completely cut down and left on the roadside and that it had been cut down into small pieces. Witnesses said that preparations were also underway to cut down another tree.
Accused Md. Mahubar Rahman said, “I planted the tree myself two years ago, I am cutting it myself. What can the police, DC or journalists do?”
However, Rangpur Sadar UNO Md. Saiful Islam said in this regard, “The matter is being investigated. If it is on government land or a government tree, then legal action will be taken against the accused.”
Mominpur Union Parishad Secretary Md. Matiur Rahman said, “I came to know about the tree cutting on my mobile phone. Later, I sent the UP member of Ward No. 1 and the village police to the spot. They went and confirmed the fact of the tree cutting. When I spoke to the accused person on the phone, due to a linguistic mistake, I forbade him from cutting the tree and asked him to inform the UP chairman and the concerned member about the matter.”
The union’s assistant land officer Mosharraf Hossain Sarkar said, “The UNO informed me about the matter. I am going to inspect the spot and necessary measures will be taken.”
The local civil society claimed that it was not right to cut trees on government land or along the road. They demanded a proper investigation into the incident and necessary measures to be taken.
