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BSS-56
BUDDHIST-LEADERS-STATEMENT
Buddhist leaders slam forest grabbing for setting up monastery
DHAKA, Oct 18, 2020 (BSS) – Leaders of different organisations of the country’s Buddhist community today issued a statement criticising monk Sharanangkar for grabbing forest in constructing a Buddhist monastery in Rangunia of Chattogram.
They said Sharanangkar Tharo established ‘Gyansharan Maharanya Buddhist Monastery’ at Falharia village of Rangunia upazila in 2012 without clearance from the Forest Department.
Despite objection of the Forest Department, Sharanangkar expanded the monastery by grabbing forest land and cutting hill and trees, and that was why the department filed a case against him in 2018, the statement said.
On July 9 this year, a joint drive of the Forest Department and police stopped the works of illegal establishments there.
Bangladesh Buddha Kristi Prachar Sangha and Kamlapur Buddhist Monastery principal Buddhapriyo Mohathero, Buddhist Federation president Dibbanndu Bikas Barua, its general secretary monk Sunandapriyo, among others, signed the statement.
They said from the religious perspective, grabbing forest for setting up a monastery is not acceptable at all.
The buddhist leaders stressed the need for resolving the issue through legal measures.
BSS/PR/RG/MRI/RY/21:10hrs