Miscreants have allegedly cut down more than 1,000 betel leaf plants belonging to a Khasi farmer in Moulvibazar’s Kulaura upazila early Sunday.
The incident occurred at Isachhara Khasi punji under Karmadha union.
The affected farmer, Ananta, said he discovered the damage on Sunday morning when he visited his garden and found most of the plants severed from the middle.
“Betel cultivation is my only source of livelihood. I am devastated by this loss,” he said, estimating the damage at around Tk 2.5 lakh.
He added that he had no known disputes with anyone and could not determine the motive behind the attack.
Union Parishad (UP) member Sylvester Pathang confirmed the incident and said that the destruction of the plants had caused severe losses to the farmer.
Kulaura Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Moniruzzaman Molla said that legal action would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint.
Local residents urged authorities to provide immediate assistance to rehabilitate the affected farmer.
SS/AM
