RANGAMATI, Aug. 1 (V7N) — A commercial papaya orchard in Rangamati was allegedly vandalised after its owner refused to pay an extortion demand of Tk 10 lakh, with around 800 fruit-bearing trees cut down overnight, according to the farmer.
The incident occurred early Friday in the Noa Dam area of Rangapani under Ward No. 6 of Rangamati municipality. The orchard owner estimates the damage at approximately Tk 10 lakh.
During a visit to the site, hundreds of papaya trees were seen lying on the ground after being cut with sharp weapons. Many of the trees were laden with green and semi-ripe fruit that was expected to be harvested within the next month.
The owner, Md. Khalilur Rahman, said he had cultivated about 1,800 papaya trees on nearly one acre of leased land. He alleged that the attackers selectively destroyed around 800 of the most productive trees.
Rahman claimed that a man he identified as Shanti Ranjan Chakma, whom he described as an alleged collector for the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), had demanded Tk 10 lakh in extortion money from him.
He alleged that after he refused to pay, he received repeated death threats, including a warning made in front of workers at his orchard two days before the attack.
"My orchard, built through months of hard work, was destroyed in a single night. They cut down the trees that carried the highest yield. I have suffered losses of around Tk 10 lakh and am seeking justice and security from the authorities," Rahman said.
Caretaker Md. Zahid said he discovered the damage when he woke up Friday morning.
"We had gone to bed after dinner. In the morning, we found that a large number of fruit-bearing trees had been cut down. Most of the fruit was ready for harvest within a month," he said.
Several workers alleged that three men had visited the orchard a few days earlier, asking for the owner and warning that farming in the area would not be allowed unless extortion money was paid.
Local residents said extortion has long been a major concern in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, with allegations of demands targeting farmers, contractors, transport operators, timber traders, brickfield owners and small business owners. Many victims, they said, are reluctant to file complaints due to fears of retaliation.
Security analysts have also described extortion as a long-standing source of funding for armed groups operating in the hill region, although such allegations have not always resulted in criminal convictions.
Police said security personnel visited the orchard after learning of the incident.
Rangamati Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Jasim Uddin said no formal written complaint had yet been submitted.
"We visited the site after receiving information about the incident. Once a written complaint is filed, we will investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action," he said.
The allegations made by the orchard owner have not been independently verified, and no response from the accused individuals or the organisation named in the complaint was immediately available.
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