Criminals felled around 1100 mahogany, teak and litchi trees on 14 bighas of land belonging to 17 people at Bathangachi and Sankorhuda villages under Moheshpur upazila in the district on Tuesday night, said locals and police.

"I have never seen such a devilish act in my life. Those who have felled the green trees should be brought to book," said Md Shahidul Islam, assistant headmaster of Shukpukuria High School in Moheshpur upazila.

"I have invested a lot for the tree plantation. But the criminals have destroyed all my hopes," MA Iqbal Hossain, who lost 250 mahogany and teak trees, said during this correspondent's visit to the area.

Abdul Aziz Biswas, who lost 60 litchi trees, burst into tears and said, "I planted these trees five years ago. Now I have incurred a huge loss."

Among other victims, Mofazzal Hossain lost 200 mahogany and teak trees, Toriqul Islam lost 20 mahogany and teak trees, Jamir Hossain lost 100 mahogany and teak trees, Sukur Biswas lost 50 mahogany and teak trees, Laltu Biswas lost 150 mahogany and teak trees, Ali Kador lost four mahogany and teak trees, Abu Bakor Biswas lost 25 litchi trees, Manik Hossain lost 20 mahogany and teak trees, Nasir Hossain lost five mahogany and teak trees, Salman Hossain lost four mahogany and teak trees, and Abdul Alim lost 16 mahogany and teak trees. All of them are residents of Batangachi village.

Besides, Rokib Malita of Sankorhuda village lost 100 mahogany and teak trees, Residents of the same village, Soriful Islam lost 40 mahogany and teak trees, Obidul Malita lost 22 mahogany and teak trees and Mahatab Mondol lost 35 mahogany and teak trees.

Political vengeance may have acted behind the barbaric incident as 15 of the 17 victims are adherents of main opposition BNP while two others belong to ruling Awami League, said a few locals.

Several victims requesting anonymity, however, said a group of crop field owners in the area jointly did the callous act, thinking that the trees, sucking great amounts of juice from the ground, would be harmful for the nearby crop fields while proper growth of the crops will be hindered due to shade of the trees when they grow larger.

The victims have demanded proper investigation and exemplary punishment to the culprits.

Anwar Hossain, officer in charge of Moheshpur police station, said, "A first information report (FIR) has been submitted to this police station. A sub-inspector has been sent to the spot. A case will be filed after thorough investigation."