Cox’s Bazar | Bay Insight

A labourer was killed early Friday after being trapped under collapsed soil while illegally cutting a hill in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The incident took place around 5:00am in the South Sonaichhari area of Jaliapalong Union. The victim was identified as Md Nurul Amin, 30, of Ward No. 1 of the same union.

Forest officials said the accident occurred during illegal hill cutting linked to an organised soil-trading operation. They also said another labourer died in the same area in 2024 while working for the same group.

Inani Forest Range Officer Firoz Al Amin confirmed the death, saying local residents Helal Uddin and his younger brother Sarwar Alam have long been involved in hill cutting and soil trading. He said Nurul Amin was buried when soil suddenly collapsed during hill cutting carried out under Helal Uddin’s supervision early Friday.

He said a similar fatality occurred in 2024, after which a case was filed against the two brothers. According to him, the Forest Department has filed five cases against them over hill cutting, while the Department of Environment has filed one more. Despite repeated legal actions, they have continued their activities by avoiding forest patrols.

He added that the group usually extracts soil from forest hills and sells it using documents linked to khas land records.

Jaliapalong Forest Beat Officer Roknuzzaman said Helal Uddin was at the site with a mini truck during the soil cutting. When forest officials arrived, Helal fled the scene with the vehicle. He said legal action is being taken.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmed said the labourer’s body was recovered after he was buried under soil during hill cutting. He said legal proceedings are underway in connection with the incident.