Sylhet: A farmer in Jaintapur, Sylhet, has suffered nearly Tk 10 lakh in losses after unidentified individuals allegedly vandalized his watermelon field over a past dispute. According to the complaint, Mohammad Ahmad Ali, a 53-year-old farmer from Daiya village in Darbast Union, cultivated watermelons this season on five bighas of land in Bedu Haor, which is owned by the local mosque.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the incident occurred between around 9 pm on January 20 and 8 am on January 21, when vandals reportedly entered the field and cut down 900 to 1,000 flowering and fruit-bearing watermelon plants. In response to the incident, Ahmad Ali filed a written complaint at Jaintapur Model Police Station. Following the complaint, the Upazila Department of Agricultural Extension sent Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Shoaeb Ahmed to inspect the site.

Ahmad Ali expressed his despair, stating, “I am an ordinary farmer, and this is my first season cultivating watermelon on this land. Overnight, my entire field was destroyed. This is a huge loss for me. I want a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for the culprits.” Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Shoaeb Ahmed confirmed the inspection, noting the total loss of the crop and describing it as a major setback for the farmer. He explained that Ahmad Ali’s plants had begun flowering and fruiting, with market-ready melons expected by Ramadan, but the vandals destroyed all prospects.

Jaintapur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Molla stated that the complaint has been recorded and the incident is being investigated. Efforts are currently underway to identify and take legal action against the perpetrators.