Forest dept to sue 50 for Jhau felling
The forest department will file a case against over 50 people for their alleged involvement in the plunder of about 30,000 Jhau (tamarisk) trees on Teknaf beach in Cox's Bazar.
Forest officer MA Hasan told The Daily Star that they would file the lawsuit within a day or two seeking a compensation of Tk 100 crore.
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner MN Siddiqui, who visited the scene on September 20, gave instructions in this regard.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier directed the authorities concerned to take stern action against those involved in the plunder of the trees.
About 30,000 Jhau trees on the beach had been plundered by a section of influential people between 5 and 10 September while the forest department played the role of a silent spectator.
With the felling of the trees, the 10 kilometre-long beach stretching from Shahparir Dwip to Baharchhara has become denuded, leaving the area vulnerable to natural disasters like cyclone and tidal surge.
A three-member probe body headed by Chittagong Divisional Commissioner MN Siddiqui was formed to investigate the incident following the premier's directives, said sources.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Gias Uddin Ahmed, Chittagong Divisional Forest Officer MA Khaleque, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain and local Awami League lawmaker Abdur Rahman Badi have visited the spot and submitted their reports to the authorities concerned.
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner MN Siddiqui said, "The people responsible for plundering the trees will be brought to book no matter how influential they might be," he said.
He asked the divisional forest officers to prepare a list of the people responsible and file a case against them seeking compensation.
Deputy Commissioner Gias Uddin Ahmed said some ruling party leaders, a section of forest officials, Union Parishad members and influential people were involved in the plunder of the Jhau trees.
He said the trees were felled in a bid to grab the lands and sell those at a high price.
Police have arrested 14 people so far in connection with the incident.
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