Man jailed for hill cutting, encroaching govt land

A mobile court sentenced a man to one month jail for illegally cutting a hill and constructing a house on government khas land in the Islamnagar area under Bhatera union of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar last evening.

The convict, Jitu Mia, had long been occupying the government land, said officials.

Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shah Zahurul Hossain led the drive and handed down the sentence on the spot.

Speaking to The Daily Star, the executive magistrate said, "Such activities not only violate the law but also pose serious threats to the environment. Our drives against illegal occupation of government land and environmentally harmful practices will continue."

The action was taken following complaints that Jitu Mia had been flattening a hill and erecting a structure on the khas land, he added.