Ramu forest violence: 5 forest workers injured in BNP attack while trying to evict encroachment

Ramu Correspondent

Forest department officials and employees have been severely attacked while trying to liberate a reserved forest area in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. It has been alleged that local BNP and its affiliated organizations ambushed and attacked them on their way back to the office after carrying out an eviction drive. At least 5 forest workers, including a Paner Chhara range officer and a forest guard, were seriously injured in the attack.

Details of the raid and ambush

Local and related sources say that a local influential group had been illegally occupying crores of taka of government land in the reserved forest under Ramu Upazila and constructing a panbarj. A team of the Forest Department went on a drive to uproot the illegal panbarj to protect the environment and state resources on July 28.
On their way back after completing the drive, miscreants who were lying in wait blocked their path. Before they could realize anything, leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliate organizations attacked the forest workers with sticks, sharp weapons, and brickbats.

Condition and rescue of the injured

A total of 5 forest workers, including the Paner Chhara range officer of the forest department and the forest guard on duty, were seriously injured in the attack. They were covered in blood on the spot due to the sudden attack by the miscreants. Later, on receiving information, other forest workers and residents quickly came forward to rescue the injured and admitted them to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that some of the injured were seriously injured.

Allegations of forest encroachment under political pretext

Locals allege that for a long time, an influential political group has been deforesting the Ramu reserve and forcibly occupying government land. Using political identities as a shield, various structures, including illegal drinking water tanks, have been built inside the forest. Whenever the Forest Department goes to take legal action, it has to face such attacks.

Warning of legal action

The Forest Department is preparing cases for obstruction of government work, encroachment into reserved forests, and fatal attacks on government officials on duty. Environmentalists and conscious citizens have demanded strict action to protect the forest area and bring the attackers under the law.