Logs of illegally felled trees seized from sawmill

Village police seized huge logs of illegally felled roadside trees from a sawmill at Kulaghat Bazar in Sadar upazila of the district yesterday.

Following a complaint filed by the villagers, the law enforcers rushed to the spot and seized the logs.

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Earlier on Saturday, local people stopped a gang from felling another tree beside Kulaghat-Barabari road at Kulaghat village under the upazila in the morning.

A gang of 6/7 allegedly led by one Abu Shahed cut down four big trees beside the road showing an application signed by the district council administration in last two days, said the villagers.

They have been felling the roadside trees illegally for long with the help of some unscrupulous officials of the district council, alleged locals.

Abdul Jobed, a local Awami League leader, said, "Without any bid paper, the gang felled roadside trees illegally."

They already informed the district council administrator, upazila nirbahi officer and police about the matter.

Shahidul Islam, owner of the sawmill, said local wood trader Abdus Samad kept the logs of the felled roadside trees for sawing them.

Contacted, Abdus Samad said he purchased the logs from local Abu Shahed and his men for Tk 70 thousand.

However, Abu Shahed said they felled the trees getting permission from the district council.

But he kept mum when he was asked if the permission letter was bid paper.

District Council Administrator Matiar Rahman said he will take immediate steps to investigate the matter.