Miscreants vandalized more than 1200 betel leaf tree in Isachhara Khasi Punji, Kulaura.
Photo: Protest meeting at Kulaura
An allegation has been made that miscreants cut down more than a thousand betel leaf plants belonging to a Khasi farmer in Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar. The incident took place late at night on Saturday (March 28) in the Isachhara Khasi Punji of Karmadha Union in the upazila. The affected farmer, Ananta, has suffered losses of approximately 250,000 taka.
The victim, Ananta, said, “On Saturday night, unknown persons cut down about a thousand of my betel leaf plants. When I went to the garden in the morning, I saw that most of the plants had been cut in the middle. Betel leaf farming was my only source of livelihood. Suddenly everything is destroyed, and now I am devastated.”
He also said, “We have no enmity with anyone. I don’t understand why this happened. I have suffered losses of about 250,000 taka. I will file a complaint at the police station.”
Photo: Victim of Isachhara Khasi Punji
Local residents demanded that the authorities quickly investigate and identify those involved and ensure exemplary punishment; otherwise, such incidents may happen again. They also requested urgent assistance from the administration for the rehabilitation of the affected farmer.
Local UP member Sylvester Pathang confirmed the incident and said, “At night, miscreants cut down about a thousand betel leaf plants belonging to Ananta. He has suffered severe losses. This is very unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kulaura Police Station, Moniruzzaman Mollah, said, “No written complaint has been received yet regarding this matter. Legal action will be taken once a complaint is filed.
In response to the incident a program of human chain and memorandum submission was arranged jointly by KUBRAJ Inter-Punji Development Association, Khasi Students Union, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Moulvibazar Branch and Greater Sylhet Indigenous Peoples Rights Protection Committee in demanding to ensure fair trial and appropriate punishment by identifying the perpetrators and safeguarding the betel gardens and the livelihood of Indigenous betel leaf farmers, on 2nd April 2026 in front of Kulaura Thana, Moulvibazar.
News link:
2. https://observerbd.com/news/571006?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ7Dd5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiZWZuUVprRkx2QTdScHd6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp403P18yoJN_imjuHrdoX4a6SQCXRE4SqCfTSnc8Iu57O8ZvC_2y9uXUNjB_aem_gvzZ72rKf1YS3rDqhp06mQ 3. https://dhakafiles.com/bangladesh/kulaura-khasi-farmer-betel-leaf-trees-destroyed-2026
