Ex-UP chairman felling trees on school ground

An influential person is felling trees on the ground of Syed Jafor Government Primary School in Dashmina upazila under the district.

On Saturday noon, this correspondent found a few labourers cutting down a rain tree at the ground of the century-old school.

That day the school was closed on the Independence Day.

"Md Naya Mia Sikder, former chairman of Dashmina union parishad, engaged us in tree felling for Tk 400 per day each," said Abdul Bareque, one of the labourers. 

Md Rafi, a local resident, said Naya Mia is felling trees on the school field despite some villagers' request not to do so.

"The primary school was established in 1915 and late Md Ali Akbar Sikder, father of Naya Mia Sikder, donated the land for the school. Later the school authority planted several hundred trees of different species on the school ground," said Md Akhter Faruque, headmaster of the school.

"Claiming the land as his possession, Naya Mia has cut a tree on the school ground. They planned to cut down 10 trees from the spot. I have informed the upazila education officer of the matter," he said.

Gopal Chandra, chairman of the school managing committee, said he has asked the headmaster to take lawful step over the matter.

Contacted, Naya Mia Sikder said, "My father donated land for the school but the plot where I am cutting down trees is outside the donated land area. It belongs to me as ancestral property."

Abul Bashar, acting primary education officer of Dashmina upazila, said he has learnt the matter and proper step would be taken regarding it soon.