A person has been jailed and an excavator has been seized for cutting hills in Akbarshah of Chattagram city.
On Saturday afternoon, under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Umar Faruq, an operation was conducted against hill cutting in Beltonighona area under Akbarshah police station. In this, while operating the mobile court, one person was caught handed with an excavator while cutting the hill.
Md. Shahjahan (40) of Halishahar area was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment in mobile court and used excavator was seized.
Besides, cases are being regularly filed against those involved in hill cutting.
On record basis, the hill is located on an area of about 11 acres in the name of Agrani Bank Officers Cooperative Housing Society at Pahartali Mauza in Akbar Shah area of Chattogram metropolis.
Assistant Commissioner (Lands) and Executive Magistrate Umar Faruq said, it can be seen from the ground that the hill has been extensively cut for road construction in Beltonighona of Akbarshah area. During the raid, one person was arrested with an excavator while cutting the hill and the accused was sentenced to 7 days imprisonment without labour in the mobile court for cutting the hill and the excavator was also seized.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman said, we have already conducted several operations against hill cutting. Penalties have been imposed under the Environment Act in the Mobile Court along with regular punitive cases against the persons involved in mountain cutting. I have adopted a zero tolerance policy on hill cutting. Such operations against land encroachments will continue to protect the environment.
Assistant Director of Environment Directorate Hasan Ahmed and Sub Inspector Alauddin and ASI Raihan Uddin of Akbarshah Police Station were present in the operation.