Forest officials say alleged land grabbers attacked an eviction team in Sreepur, injuring staff and workers during a drive to recover illegally occupied forest land in Gazipur.
At least 15 people, including forest officials, employees and daily wage workers under the Forest Department, were injured after alleged land grabbers attacked an eviction team in Sreepur of Gazipur today, officials said.
The attack took place in the Abdar area of Telihati union while officials from the Dhaka Forest Division were conducting a drive to recover forest land from illegal occupiers.
Among the injured were Sreepur Range Officer Mokhlesur Rahman, Sreepur Sadar Beat Officer Akhtar Hossain, Satkhamair Beat Officer Biplob Hossain, forest guards Alomgir, Dewan Shakil, Kamal Mia, Alomgir Hossain, Abdul Majid and driver Sohel. In total, 16 people were reported injured.
Biplob Hossain, beat officer of Satkhamair Beat under Sreepur Range, said local men identified as Dulal and Arman had been constructing houses after occupying land belonging to the Forest Department under Khatian No. 2 in the Abdar area of Telihati union.
He said a team of around 20 to 25 Forest Department officials, staff members and daily wage workers led by Range Officer Mokhlesur Rahman went to recover the land on Tuesday morning.
At around 11:30 am, Dulal and Arman obstructed the eviction drive, he said. At that point, more than 50 people led by them allegedly attacked the forest officials, employees and workers with locally made weapons.
The assault left 15 people injured, including the range officer and the Sreepur Sadar beat officer, Biplob said. The attackers also vandalised the vehicle used by the Sreepur range officer during the operation.
Local residents rescued the injured and took them to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Police from Sreepur police station later reached the scene and brought the situation under control.
The Forest Department said it was preparing to file a case with Sreepur police station against those involved in the attack.
Dr Bijon Kumar Malakar, resident medical officer at Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, said the condition of the range officer and the Sreepur Sadar beat officer was critical. The others were given primary treatment.
Sreepur police station officer-in-charge Shahinul Alam said police were sent to the scene after receiving the report. He said the accused had left the area and added that legal action would be taken if a written complaint was filed.
