In Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, forest officials were attacked by a group of timber smugglers, who also snatched a vehicle loaded with illegally felled trees. The assault left a forest officer and four forest guards injured.The incident occurred on Sunday night, August 24, in the Segunbagicha area of Khutakhali Beat under the Fulkhali Range of Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division. The injured officials are Khutakhali Beat Officer Nazmul Islam (29), forest guards Md. Ayat Ullah Mazumdar (42), Md. Waliul Islam (30), Hasan Ali (31), and Md. Hasan (38). They were admitted to Chakaria Upazila Health Complex in critical condition.
According to Khutakhali Beat Officer Nazmul Islam, on Sunday around 9:30 PM, a group of smugglers was transporting timber in a tom-tom vehicle. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Nazmul Islam conducted a raid and seized the vehicle loaded with timber. However, a group of 20-25 miscreants, led by a local smuggler named Faruk, attacked the forest officials and forcibly took the seized vehicle.
Nazmul Islam stated, “We seized an easy-bike carrying 14-15 pieces of timber during the raid. The smugglers attacked us and snatched the vehicle. They also threatened to kill me by burying me in the ground.” He added that the identities of the attackers have been confirmed, and they have multiple forest-related cases against them.
Cox’s Bazar North Forest Division’s Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mohammad Maruf Hossain confirmed the incident, stating that five forest officials, including the beat officer, were injured in the attack by the smuggling gang. The identities of the attackers have been established, and instructions have been given to take legal action against them
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