20 hurt in police action

The sit-in programme was organised jointly by Rangamati Timber Traders Cooperative Society (RTTCOS) and Upajatya Kath Babosayee and Jote Malik Samity (UKBJOS).

Members of both the associations were demanding for implementation of their 8-point demand including reopening of transit pass (TP), an official approval for transportation of logs elsewhere from the hill district.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

They also wanted removal of State Minister of Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Choudhury for patronising a 'Syndicate' run by his son Jahirul Islam Choudhury, owner of Ankhi Enterprise in Chittagong, who imported about 10 to 12 lakh cubic feet logs. By stopping TP they took timber traders hostage and they are now trying to gain huge profit from selling the imported logs at local market.

The clash erupted when army went into action after hundreds of agitating people damaged a vehicle carrying the head of Environment and Forest Ministry investigation committee, GMK Nurul Amin, joint secretary of Forest Ministry and acting chairman of Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation. The probe body was formed in the wake of allegations of timber smuggling from reserve forests, according to witnesses.

A human chain was also formed in the town.

According to a source close to the state minister, issuance of TP was halted in the wake of much-allegations of timber trafficking and plundering from the reserve forest. 'An investigation is going on about the allegation and the non-issuance of TP will remain functional until the probe ends', the source added.