Forest Officer in Cumilla Accused of Taking Large Bribes by Stopping Timber Trucks at Suyagazi Check Station

Md. Nazmul Hasan, an officer of the Cumilla forest division's Suyagazi check station on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, has been accused of taking large bribes by stopping timber-carrying trucks in the name of checking.

Check stations have been set up at important points on highways to prevent illegal smuggling of timber from social forestry. The allegation says trucks are stopped at that very check station in the name of checking.

According to the allegation, even when traders have valid documents, Nazmul Hasan forces them to pay by threatening false cases and seizure of goods if they refuse to pay bribes.

Babul Mia of the forest department, two guards and several local people have also been accused of assisting in the act.

The allegation further says the bribe money is deposited through the bank account of a close relative of Nazmul Hasan.

It says legitimate traders are facing losses and there are fears of a negative impact on timber supply and prices in the market.

The allegation says that even though there is specific information and evidence against Nazmul Hasan, the concerned divisional senior forest officer expressed inability to say anything on the matter.

Demands have been raised to suspend the accused officer Md. Nazmul Hasan and his associates and to form a neutral, high-level investigation committee into the incident.

A demand has also been made to file a case against him under money laundering and anti-corruption laws through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), following the trail of bank transactions on charges of earning illegal money.

Demands have also been raised for round-the-clock CCTV cameras at check stations to ensure transparency, fully online verification of transport permits for timber and forest resources, and regular transfers of officers and staff.

A proposal has also been made to launch a quick-response hotline number to stop harassment of traders, so they can urgently get help from higher authorities.