Another tree felling fest
Men allegedly belonging to the ruling party cut down over 150 big roadside trees beside Narail-Gobra-Noapara road in Korola and Bisali unions under Narail Sadar upazila during the last six months.
The trees belonged to villagers who participated in a Rural Development Project-18 run by Narail Sadar upazila office of Local Government Engineering Department in 1992-1993.
That time villagers planted around 12 thousand shishu trees along 20 km stretch of Narail-Gobra-Noapara road, said sources of LGED Narail Sadar upazila office.
During a visit to Narail-Gobra-Noapara road a few days ago, this correspondent saw remains of a good number of big shishu trees that were felled beside 10 km stretch of the road in Korola and Bisali unions.
Several of the felled trees were in front of Bisali police camp.
Locals said Sheikh Moazzem, president of Bisali union Jubo League, Enamul, Jubo League leader of Korola union, and their men in collusion with the then assistant sub inspector (ASI) Md Sujon Mia of Bisali police camp (now working at DSB office) and a few local LGED staff felled at least 150 trees along Narail-Gobra-Noapara road and sold them off.
"Sheikh Moazzem and his men felled some roadside trees in presence of the then ASI Md Sujon Mia two months ago. If anyone protests such heinous act, they threaten to implicate him in false cases,” Obai Mollah of Bisali union said.
"Jubo League leaders Sheikh Moazzem and Enamul and their men in collusion with ASI Md Sujon Mia of Bisali police post and a few upazila LGED office staff were involved in felling the trees. Now who will take action?” a member of Bisali union parishad said on condition of anonymity.
Such tree felling has continued during the last six months but no one dares protesting the matter, said Shafiar Rahman, a farmer of Bisali union.
Asked who the culprits are, he said, "There is a police post nearby but they are not taking any action. What will be the benefit of disclosing the names of wrongdoers?"
Refuting the allegation of their involvement in tree felling, union Jubo League leader Sheikh Moazzem and ASI Md Sujon Mia said they know nothing about the matter.
When asked, Sadar upazila LGED Engineer Harun-ur-Rashid said, "No auction for tree was held at upazila LGED office and I know nothing about the tree felling. Unidentified criminals might have stolen these roadside trees."
In reply to a query, he said they did not take any action in this connection.
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