Over a Thousand Betel Trees Vandalised in Kulaura

In a shocking act of vandalism, over a thousand betel trees belonging to a farmer in a remote Khasi settlement in Kulaura, Moulvibazar, were deliberately cut down by unknown assailants. The incident occurred in Ichachhora, a Khasi punji—a term locally used for villages of the Khasi minority—where betel cultivation forms the primary source of livelihood for the community.

The affected farmer, identified as Ananta, lodged a formal complaint with Kulaura Police Station on Sunday evening. According to Ananta and other residents of the punji, Ichachhora is home to 46 Khasi families, all of whom rely entirely on betel leaf cultivation for their sustenance. Each family maintains separate plots on the hilly terrain specifically designated for betel cultivation.

Ananta, whose land contained approximately 1,500 betel trees, discovered the destruction on Sunday morning. “I went to my plot and found that the base of over a thousand trees had been cut. I immediately informed the other members of the punji and our local Union Parishad representative,” he said.

The complaint indicates that the act likely took place late on Saturday night. Ananta estimates his financial loss at around 250,000 Bangladeshi taka. He emphasised that he has no known disputes with anyone in the locality, leaving the motive behind the attack unclear.

Jamal Marlia, the punji’s assistant chief, expressed concern over the recurring nature of such incidents. “Similar acts have been happening intermittently for several years. We cannot ascertain who is responsible or what their motive might be. Hopefully, the police investigation will shed light on this,” he remarked.

Kulaura Police Station’s investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mostafizur Rahman, confirmed receipt of the complaint late Sunday night. “We have received the formal complaint. A thorough investigation will be conducted, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on our findings,” he stated.

The following table summarises the key aspects of the incident:

The incident highlights both the vulnerability of Khasi communities’ livelihoods and the challenges of protecting agricultural assets in remote areas. Locals are calling for swift justice and enhanced security measures to prevent such destructive acts in the future.