Rangamati, Dec 16 (V7N) – Bangladesh’s Forest Department has filed a criminal case in connection with a violent attack on the Machalong Range headquarters of the Chattogram North Forest Division, located in the Machalong Bazar area of Sajek under Baghaichhari upazila.

The case was lodged by Machalong Range Officer Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman, accusing 18 individuals by name along with 150 to 160 unidentified assailants of carrying out a planned assault, vandalizing government property, and obstructing official duties.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident took place on December 14 at around 2:30 pm, when a large group forcibly entered the Forest Department’s Machalong Sadar Beat Office, which falls under Sajek Police Station.

The complainant stated that earlier that day, at about 11:45 am, forest officials conducted an eviction drive to remove illegal structures from the Agojjachhara (14 Kilometer) Reserved Forest area, within Compartment No. 61. The attack allegedly occurred in retaliation for this operation.

While the range officer was in Baghaichhari later in the afternoon, he received information that a mob had launched an attack on the beat office. The FIR alleges that the assailants, led by Biton Chakma, Prodip Chakma (father of Roni), Sukhi Chakma, and Babudhan Chakma, marched to the office armed with machetes, sticks, bricks, stones, and glass bottles.

The attackers reportedly broke open the main gate and forcibly entered the tin-shed office building, damaging doors, windows, furniture, and other government assets, and destroying important official documents. They also threw bricks and stones at a nearby concrete building, broke the balcony grill, and entered the premises.

During the attack, a motorcycle belonging to a staff member was vandalized. Forest Department employee Md Ashraful Alam was seriously injured after being struck by bricks and glass bottles. Law enforcement teams from Baghaichhari Zone and Sajek Police Station later arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control.

The injured staff member was rescued and taken to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

The FIR estimates the total damage to government property at approximately Tk 600,000. The complainant noted that filing the case was delayed slightly due to the need for on-site inspections, collection of detailed information, and consultations with higher authorities.

Local sources said tensions have previously flared in Sajek and surrounding areas over eviction drives targeting illegal structures in reserved forest zones, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing forest protection measures in the region.

END/AMR/SMA/