A huge number of Gazari trees were allegedly cut and trafficked to build illegal houses and factories in the forests of Gazipur.
Locals alleged that a group of unscrupulous people had been cutting down and trading Gazari trees in Singardighi village of the Shimalpara forest beat area under Government Forest Department in Sripur.
Officers of the beat including Beat Officer Salah Uddin had been making huge amounts money out of the illegal business, they added.
Salah Uddin and Jaynal, a local wood trafficker, had been jointly helping criminals trade the trees and build households and factories inside the forest illegally, locals claimed.
Joynal had cut down around 20-25 Gazari trees to create an easy path for the officials of “Woody,” a Bangladeshi company, to go to the factory, locals said, adding that the felled trees were kept at Joynal’s home.
When informed, Salah Uddin went to Joynal’s house but did not seize the trees.
When contacted, Salah Uddin said he was aware of the illegal activities of Joynal, but did not comment on why he left Joynal’s house without seizing the trees.
He also denied the allegations against him.