Abu Sayem, Cox’s Bazar: Illegal sawmills in PMkhali have been evicted in the operation of Cox`s Bazar North Forest Department.

According to the Forest Department sources, on 24 January (Monday) with the overall cooperation of the Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sadar Cox`s Bazar North Forest Divisional Forest Officer Md. Anwar Hossain under the direction of the government Assistant Forest Conservator (Sadar), a special team led by Prantosh Chandra Roy, OC AKM Ata Elahi and a group of forest workers conducted the operation and evicted the sawmill illegally set up in Tetoia area of ​​PM khali Range. At that time, various equipments of illegal sawmill were seized and brought to PMkhaliRange custody.

According to the forest department, as part of regular raids, a special team led by OC AKM Ata Elahi conducted a separate operation and chased a mini pick-up on Chittagong-Cox`s Bazar highway towards Eidgaon while smuggling illegal sawn timber. During this time 130 cubic feet of sawn timber was seized.

In another operation, the Special Team seized 130 cubic feet of various round timber from Islam Nagar area of ​​Chakaria Upazila during a night patrol. During this time, mini pick-ups engaged during transportation were seized. Two mini-pick-ups loaded with timber have been taken into custody at FansiakhaliRange.

AKM Ata Elahi, OC of Special Team and City Range Officer, said that illegal sawmills have been removed in PMkhali on the instructions of the Divisional Forest Officer of Cox`s Bazar North Forest Division. The special team conducted separate raids and seized 260 cubic feet of sawn timber and various round timbers and seized the mini pick-ups engaged during the transport and brought them to the custody of the range. The daily campaign will continue under the direction of senior forest officials to curb timber smuggling.

Md. Anwar Hossain Sarkar, Divisional Forest Officer, Cox`s Bazar North Forest Department, said that the forest department is alert and vigilant against encroachment of forest land, illegal timber smuggling and cutting down hills. Illegal sawmills in PMkhali have been eradicated in a joint operation of Forest Department and Sadar Upazila Administration with the overall cooperation of Assistant Commissioner Bhumi Sadar as part of regular operation. The special team conducted a special operation and seized about 260 cubic feet of sawn timber and various round timbers. Separate cases will be filed against the accused and those involved in the forest law.