chtnews.com
News No. 51/2010, March 12, 2010
Thousands of acres of forest in Rangamati have been destroyed by a fire set by army personnel returning from a search operation.
Sources said hundreds of soldiers from Naniachar and Longudu zones had carried out an operation for three days since March 9.
Divided into six groups, they fanned out into a large swath of area between Naniachar and Longudu in Rangamati district.
Some of the villages the soldiers raided include Khullyangpara, Boradam, Golachari and Nua Boradam.
They searched houses and interrogated the villagers about UPDF leaders.
“But the army failed to arrest any UPDF member, and as they were returning to their camps yesterday, they set fire to the forest causing serious damage.” a villager in Naniachar told chtnews.com.
“The fire burnt for several hours and caused extensive damage to the forest.” Michael Chakma, a leader of the Democratic Youth Forum said.
…………………………
