There have been allegations of illegally cutting down and operating a sawmill (sawmill) in the government-reserved forest area at Jogirchit intersection (adjacent to Chairman Bari) of Kawraid Union in Sreepur Upazila of Gazipur.
The mill is being run jointly by Shamsul Haque Mandal, the recently former general secretary of Kawraid Union BNP, and local Awami League activist Rafiqul Islam Robi.
According to local sources, after a long closure, it was found on Thursday (July 24) afternoon that the sawmill was being used for sawing wood immediately after its inauguration, and pieces of a government sawmill were found cut down next to the mill. Photos and videos of the scene went viral on social media, creating a huge sensation.
There are allegations that Shamsul Haque Mondal's younger brother, Kamrul Mondal, is an accused in a controversial murder case and is politically close to the Awami League. As a result, allegations of indiscriminate cutting of trees in the forest and running sawmills under the umbrella of both parties are intensifying.
Witnesses have alleged that Kawraid BIT officer Boni Shahadat Hossain, who arrived at the scene after receiving the complaint, instead of confiscating the seized trees or wood, behaved closely with the accused. When questioned by reporters, he refused to comment. However, although he verbally admitted to confiscating the trees, he did not take any written or effective action.
Several media workers have complained that he also tried to 'manage' the journalists present at the time.
Meanwhile, BNP leader Shamsul Haque Mondal claimed, "The Gajari trees were cut from his father's ancestral land." In contrast, his associate Robi said, "The wood was purchased from another place in Gazipur." When conflicting information emerged in multiple statements, questions arose about the authenticity.
Regarding the incident, Sreepur Range Officer Mokhlesur Rahman told reporters, "The issue of illegal sawmilling and cutting down forest trees has come to our attention. We are investigating. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. If any BIT officer indulges in nepotism, departmental action will also be taken against him."
Sreepur Upazila BNP convener Abdul Motaleb told reporters: "Those who engage in anti-social activities using the party's name cannot have any connection with the BNP. We have already declared the relevant committee dissolved. Those who violate party discipline have no place in the party."
BNP is a democratic, disciplined and systematic party. The party will not take responsibility for anyone's personal misdeeds. We want to make it clear that if anyone is involved in illegal activities in the name of the party, the party will take a strict stand against them.
"We call on the relevant administration, including the Forest Department, to take impartial and appropriate legal action against those who violate the law. Whoever the culprit is, his identity is not important—the crime is what matters."
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the forest department and local political leaders. Cutting down government-owned trees for business, opening mills, and the administration's silence are all clear evidence of looting of forest resources. Local conscious circles believe that the negligence of the concerned administration, political influence, and the inaction of law enforcement agencies are encouraging such misdeeds.
