Khulshi hill being gradually levelled with shovels to avoid detection

A steep hill in South Khulshi is reportedly being cut gradually using shovels and spades instead of excavators, apparently to avoid detection by authorities. The 70–80-foot-high hill, located at Green Delta Housing beside the VIP Housing Society, has drawn concern from residents and environmental officials.

A recent visit to the site found the hilltop fenced with tin sheets and barbed wire, approximately 200 feet from the VIP Housing Society mosque. Several tin-shed houses have been built at the base, while fresh marks of manual digging were visible on the slope.

Residents alleged that two identified land grabbers, SK Khoda Toton and Jahidul Islam, have been gradually cutting the hill over the past two months. SK Khoda Toton is a former vice president of the Chattogram metropolitan unit of BNP.

To avoid attention, locals said the hill is not cut continuously; workers dig for a day or two each week using traditional tools rather than heavy machinery.

Mozammel Hossain, a resident, said the hill was previously owned by Mohammad Manik. "Jahidul Islam and SK Khoda Toton purchased the hill from Manik and have since been trying to level it by cutting the slope," he said. Another resident, Saju, added that the activity started after 5 August 2024, paused under strict monitoring, and resumed a few days before the February elections.

According to locals, three experienced labourers – Siraj, Maidul and Dina – work on the slope, removing small chunks of soil that are later carried away in drum trucks over several days.

Contacted for comment, SK Khoda Toton denied involvement. "I bought the land around 2003 through a power of attorney and later divided it into plots, which were sold in 2006. If the buyers are cutting the hill now, there is nothing I can do," he said.

Rubaiyat Tahreem Sourav, senior chemist at the Department of Environment's Chattogram Metropolitan office, said officials inspected the site after receiving complaints. "We found evidence of hill cutting, but no workers were present at the time. An investigation is underway to identify those involved," he told The Business Standard.