Forest team attacked while clearing illegal plantations in Cox’s Bazar

Five members of the Forest Department, including a range officer, were injured after a group of alleged land grabbers attacked a team conducting an eviction drive against illegal betel leaf plantations inside a protected forest area in Cox's Bazar today.

The attack took place around 10:00am in the Panerchhara Range under the Cox's Bazar South Forest Division, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abdullah Al Mamun said.

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The injured are Range Officer Shariful Alam, Forest Guard Humayun Kabir, gardener Saidul Islam, forest worker Md Sajid, and Emergency Response Team (ERT) member Mizanur Rahman.

Beat Officer Kamruzzaman Shovon said three of them sustained serious head injuries. Shariful Alam received nine stitches to his head, while two others required three stitches each.

According to local sources, several people from the Samitipara and Dokkhin Mithachhari areas of Panerchhara, identified as Nazir, Sahab Uddin, Jasim and Abdullah, were allegedly involved in the assault.

The DFO said the Forest Department team had been carrying out a lawful operation to remove illegal betel leaf plantations in protected forest land when a group of organised encroachers attacked the officials, leaving five personnel injured.

He added that Shariful Alam might be referred to Chattogram for advanced treatment.

Legal action will be taken against those involved in both the forest encroachment and the attack on government officials, the DFO added.