More than 500 fruit saplings were allegedly cut down overnight at Omar Nagar Nursery near Kachiyapukuria Mujibnagar in Lalmai, Cumilla. The incident occurred on Sunday night in Bhulain South Union, according to the report. Nursery owner and returned expatriate Mizanur Rahman said the damage exceeded Tk 500,000.

Rahman, a resident of Kachiyapukuria village, established the nursery about one and a half years ago on 30 decimals of land to produce and sell flower, fruit, vegetable and grafted saplings. The report said nearly all saplings in the garden appeared to have been cut with sharp weapons, most of them completely severed around the middle. Rahman said the damaged plants included improved varieties of mango, malta, papaya, olive, banana and lotkon.

Pradip Chakraborty, in-charge of the Bhushi Bazar Investigation Centre, visited the site after receiving the report. Rahman said he would file a written complaint with Lalmai police station. Local resident Fazlur Rahman Mintu called for an investigation and punishment of those responsible. Lalmai police station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said police had been sent to the scene and legal action would follow if a written complaint was received.