Khagrachhari: Strict action will be taken against those involved in illegal hill cutting in Manikchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district, said Motaher Hossain, Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram and also the convener of the probe body formed over the investigation into hill cutting in the district.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Motaher Hossain communicated this decision to reporters after visiting various hilly areas of Manikchhari upazila. During the visit, the committee discovered evidence of illegal hill cutting in the region.
Earlier on April 9, the government established a probe body to investigate the illegal hill razing in several areas of the upazila, including Kharichhara, Eyatlongpara, Moradolu, Lemua, Tintohori, and Borodolu, where eight hills were razed illegally. This committee was formed following a directive from State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shaikh Faridul Islam, to determine measures for preventing hill cutting.
Motaher Hossain stated that legal steps have already been initiated by the administration and the Department of Environment. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Afroze Bhuiyan and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Khadija Tahira were present during the inspection. Officials mentioned that the findings of the probe body will be submitted soon, and further action will be taken based on the report.