Residents of Hartakitola in Ward No. 5 of the Kaliakair municipality, Gazipur, staged a human chain and protest procession to protest against various irregularities, including the alleged illegal encroachment of government forest department land, tree felling to construct roads, commercial establishments, houses, and the unauthorized setting up of a private graveyard.
The human chain was organized by local residents on Friday afternoon (September 18) in the Hartakitola area. During the program, locals demanded the protection of forest land and a thorough investigation into the allegations to bring the culprits to justice under the law.
Following the human chain, participants brought out a protest procession that paraded through various neighborhood roads, chanting slogans demanding the safeguarding of forest land and an immediate halt to alleged land grabs and irregularities.
Speaking on the matter, former municipal councillor Md. Belayet Hossain Belal stated that written complaints regarding the issues had previously been submitted to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Kaliakair Police Station, and relevant forest department authorities.
The complainants specifically accused journalist Abdul Mannan of seizing government forest land, cutting down trees to build roads, dumping garbage, and harassing locals. They noted that despite submitting formal complaints, the lack of a permanent resolution prompted them to draw the attention of the authorities through peaceful human chains and protests.
Prominent figures and residents present at the rally included former municipal councillor Md. Belayet Hossain Belal, Municipal BNP General Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman, Md. Ibrahim, Jalal Uddin, Ishfaq Rabbi, Advocate Md. Delwar Hossain, Dulal Hossain, Monir Hossain, Sujon, Rakib, Masud, Kabel, Jalil, Saman Uddin, Alauddin, Helal Uddin, Babul Mia, Shahed, and Russel.
Demanding a swift investigation to uncover the truth and take decisive action to protect government forest land, demonstrators also made a fervent appeal to forest authorities to establish a public graveyard on the disputed land and initiate government tree plantation drives in the vacant areas.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Gazipur Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
