UP chairman fells roadside trees

At least eight roadside trees were felled down by a union parishad (UP) chairman at Ratanpur Bazar in Boalmari upazila of the district in the last five days, allegedly without permission of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).

Local people alleged that Ghospur UP Chairman Faruk Hossain cut down the trees along Satair-Bhimpur road in cooperation with one Sadek Ali Fakir, a member of the village police.

Chairman Faruk has already cut down eight trees from one kilometres area of the road and took those to the UP office, locals alleged.

Abul Mia of Khamarpara village said the UP chairman felled the trees without the permission of the concerned authorities as he is locally influential.

“Chairman Faruk told me to cut down the trees and I am just following his order,” Sadak said.

Chairman Faruk said, “I cut down the trees to make furniture for the UP office but didn't take any permission from the LGED.”

Boalmari Upazila LGED Engineer Rafiqul Islam said he wasn't aware of the matter and will take necessary steps after investigation.