A dispute over alleged illegal hill cutting in Bangladesh’s coastal Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram has escalated into a criminal case, with two local youths arrested on extortion charges following protests against environmental degradation. The development has triggered concern among residents, who allege that attempts to protect fragile hill ecosystems are being met with intimidation and legal retaliation.
Local sources report that large-scale hill cutting had been taking place for an extended period in the northern part of the BM Area under Bhatiari Union No. 9. The excavated soil is believed to have been used as raw material for a nearby brick kiln, raising serious questions over environmental compliance and regulatory oversight.
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Allegations linked to brick kiln operations
Residents allege that the activity was being overseen by Tajul Islam, manager of the “Mir Group” brick kiln, which is reportedly associated with a senior leader of the South Chattogram District unit of the Awami League. According to these claims, the operation continued without the necessary clearance from the Department of Environment, despite legal requirements mandating prior approval for any hill cutting or land alteration.
Locals further claim that the unregulated excavation has significantly destabilised the terrain, increasing the risk of landslides during heavy rainfall and posing a potential threat to nearby homes and infrastructure. Although villagers say they repeatedly raised objections, the activity was allegedly halted only temporarily before resuming again.
Arrests following protest and counter-case
Tensions intensified when a group of local youths protested against the ongoing hill cutting. In response, a case was filed accusing around 15 to 16 individuals of extortion. Acting on the complaint, police arrested two suspects identified as Kofil and Wasim.
Sitakunda Police Station Sub-Inspector Abul Hossain confirmed that the two individuals were detained on Sunday night and subsequently produced before the court. He added that the matter remains under investigation.
However, the accused persons’ families have rejected the allegations. The wife of one detainee, Jemu Akter, stated that her husband had merely opposed environmental destruction and was being falsely implicated as a result of his protest.
Previous enforcement actions and continuing concerns
This is not the first time authorities have intervened in the area. Around one and a half years ago, the Department of Environment reportedly conducted an operation in which machinery was seized and one individual was sentenced to imprisonment. Despite this, residents claim that hill cutting gradually resumed.
More recently, police also intercepted three soil-laden trucks in the Banshbaria area of Sitakunda on Saturday as part of ongoing monitoring activities against illegal earth extraction.
Summary of enforcement actions
| Action Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| DoE raid & legal action | Sitakunda hills | Equipment seized; one person jailed |
| Truck interception | Banshbaria | Three soil-laden trucks seized |
| Recent arrests | Bhatiari BM Area | Two individuals sent to court |
Allegations of intimidation and record manipulation
Local residents further allege that opposition to hill cutting has been met with intimidation, including threats of false legal cases. Community members claim that activists and villagers who attempt to intervene are pressured into silence.
There are also claims that land classification in parts of the area was previously altered, reclassifying hill terrain as industrial land, allegedly facilitating large-scale extraction activities over time.
Concerns over journalist intimidation
Additional controversy has emerged from allegations involving journalists who visited the site earlier this year following public complaints. According to reports, a manager linked to the brick kiln operation behaved aggressively towards a reporter from The Daily Ittefaq’s Sitakunda correspondent and allegedly threatened legal action when questioned about the allegations.
Official response and ongoing monitoring
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Fakhru Islam stated that any confirmed cases of illegal hill cutting would be investigated thoroughly, with appropriate legal action taken against those responsible.
An official from the Department of Environment, Ashraf Uddin, confirmed that enforcement measures had previously been carried out, including seizure of equipment and imprisonment of offenders. He added that the situation remains under active surveillance.
Environmental risk concerns
Environmental experts and local residents warn that continued hill cutting in Sitakunda could have severe long-term consequences, particularly given the region’s vulnerability to landslides during the monsoon season. They argue that unchecked excavation not only threatens biodiversity and ecological balance but also places nearby settlements at significant risk.
Community members are now calling for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and greater institutional accountability, expressing concern that commercial interests may be overriding environmental protection and public safety.