Scrap trader arrested for tree plunder
Police have arrested a scrap trader with alleged links to plundering of the forest along Sonaichhari coast under Sitakunda upazila.
Didarul Alam is one of the influential people allegedly involved in the destruction of the forest for setting up ship-breaking yards there, said sources.
Didarul, nephew of Chittagong City Corporation Councillor Manjurul Alam Manju, was arrested in his house at North Kattoli on Wednesday night.
Earlier, six hired day labourers, arrested in the case filed by the Department of Forest for plundering the forest, told police that Didarul and Zahur Member had engaged them in the job of felling trees.
Law enforcers raided the house of Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury, joint convener of BNP north Chittagong district unit, at Sitakunda the same night.
But Aslam was in his other house in the port city during the raid.
"We are raiding the houses of those allegedly involved in the plundering of the forest. The information we have received so far is being verified," said Sub-Inspector Md Shawkat Hossain, investigation officer in the case.
"The hunt for the people responsible for the destruction of the forest is on," he added.
The three-member probe committee headed by Additional DIG Maqbul Hossain Bhuiyan had visited the denuded forestland in Sonaichhari, Shawkat said.
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