Pro-AL leader caught smuggling wood
Yet, forest department does not file case against him
A local Jubo League leader has allegedly been caught red-handed while trying to steal logs from a forest in Kulaura area of Moulvibazar.
Forest department filed a case with a district court on Monday, but it did not name anyone as accused. The department only mentioned recovery of the logs, said forest officials.
Gazipur Forest Beat Officer Bazlur Rahman said a pickup loaded with the timber was seized in front of the range officer's office around 10:00am on Friday.
Sufian Ahmed, joint convener of Kulaura Municipal Jubo League, was inside the vehicle.
Bazlur said they seized teak, firewood and other wood in the vehicle.
A forest official, wishing not to be named, said after the vehicle was seized, Sufian tried to get it released using his political clout.
Sources said Sufian is a furniture trader in local Laskarpur market. He has been stealing timber from the forest since he got the Juba League post in Kulaura municipality.
Contacted, Sufian denied stealing anything. He claimed that he owned the seized wood and that he was taking them for "personal use".
Kulaura Range Officer Riaz Uddin said the owner of the vehicle pleaded guilty and filed an application with the Sylhet divisional forest officer seeking withdrawal of the case.
Asked why Sufian was not charged in the case, he said, "I joined here on Monday. I will take necessary action after talking to the local beat officer. No one is above the law.
Assistant Forest Conservator Abu Bakr Siddique said action would be taken against anyone found involved in the incident.
Shaheed Ahmed, convener of Kulaura Municipal Jubo League, confirmed that Sufian is a joint convener of the Jubo League unit.