Both AL and BNP members are alleged to have been involved in recent incidents of a syndicate illegally cutting down and selling off a large number of trees belonging to Bangladesh Railways in Chittagong.
The case sadly once again demonstrates mismanagement and corruption among public officials and politicians.
Sources in the railway department have admitted that it has no reliable data on the number of trees that it owns, creating the perfect opportunity for outside forces to appropriate these public properties. In addition, large swaths of land owned by the railway department are currently being illegally occupied.
There are persistent allegations of collusion between railway management and local politicians that enable these crimes to take place. What is particularly disturbing is that both political parties are implicated in these incidents.
Although a probe body has been formed to investigate these incidents, there is little indication thus far that this will be performed impartially. The head of the probe body has dismissed the connection of an Awami League leader to these incidents even though the investigation indicated their involvement.
The lethal combination of mismanagement, corruption, and collusion between railway officials and local politicians is leading to the squandering of valuable and scarce public assets in Chittagong.
Urgent action now needs to be taken by appropriate higher authorities within Bangladesh Railway, both political parties and law enforcement bodies, to ensure that this is stopped immediately and those responsible are held accountable.
