Amtali (Barguna) Correspondent

Coconut trees on the land acquired by the Water Development Board adjacent to Arpangashia Secondary School of Amtali Upazila, were cut down by the school principal Mosa Mahfuza Akhtar.

Al Amin Biswas, grandson of freedom fighter Afaz Uddin Biswas, founder of the school, has complained.

But the headmaster of the school claimed that he had planted the tree so he cut the tree. The incident took place on the premises of Arpangasiya Secondary School in Dupuwe on Tuesday.

It is reported that the Barguna Water Development Board acquired the land in 44 polder of Adpangashia Union of Amtali Upazila in 1968. Locals planted various species of trees including Rainty and Coconut trees on that land.

Afaz Uddin Biswas, a brave freedom fighter, established Adpangasiya Secondary School on the land adjacent to that land. Five rain trees and two coconut trees of that land were cut down on Tuesday afternoon by the headmaster of the school, Musa Mahfuza Akhter.

Al Amin Biswas, the grandson of the founder of the school, alleged that the headmaster of the school had cut the trees without any official permission. But the headmaster of the school claimed that even though the land belonged to the Water Development Board, the trees were cut down because he had planted them.

There is anger among the locals in this incident. In this incident, Al Amin Biswas made a written complaint to Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Ashraful Alam. But the Upazila Nirbahi Officer prohibits the cutting of trees, but the head teacher does not obey it.

On Tuesday afternoon, it was seen that four workers were cutting trees under the instruction of the school headmaster. And piled some cut parts of the tree on the ground.

Tree cutting worker Zakir Hossain said, we are cutting trees on the instructions of the head teacher. Principal teacher Mosa Mahfuza Akhter said, I planted trees even though it is a water development board land. I am cutting my planted trees. He could not answer the question whether he had taken permission from the Water Development Board to cut the trees. He also said, I cut the tree because of the problem of my school building.

Deputy Assistant Engineer of Barguna Water Development Board Md. Himel Mia said, I do not know the matter. Action will be taken against him immediately after investigation. Amtali Upazila Executive Officer Muhammad Ashraful Alam said, I have received a complaint about this.

Legal action will be taken subject to investigation. He also said that no one can cut trees on government land without the permission of the authorities. Action will be taken against the headmaster if he cuts the tree.