AL leader uproots around 5,000 exotic species plants of an indigenous family

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

A local Awami League leader allegedly felled different plants of exotic species of an indigenous family to grab their ancestral land in Bandarban’s Lama upazila on Friday night.

“One Mamun Hossain, general secretary of Fashiakhali union unit AL of Lama upazila came to the land with some hired goons and started uprooting and cutting down different acacia, eucalyptus and teak plants which I planted one year ago” , alleged land owner Aongkyhla Marma.

Me, my wife and my younger brother took loan from the bank and started the plantation last year, he said.

We suffered loss of Tk 10 lakh, said the victim, adding “the criminals also vandalised our Jhum house”.

We are too scared to file a case fearing repercussions, he added.

“On May 24 Mamun filled a false case with Lama executive magistrate court against me to grab our ancestral land”, said Aongkyhla.

“We are living miserably in the hills while the local administration and law enforcement agency members are standing by the ruling party member,” alleged U Chai Nu Marma, wife of Aongkyhla.

Contacted, Mamun denied the allegation and said “I know nothing about this rather Aongkyhla grabbed our land.”

After several times attempt local police station officer didn’t receive the call.