Strict action will be taken against those involved in illegal hill cutting in Manikchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district, said Motaher Hossain, Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram and also the convener of the probe body formed over investigation into hill cutting in the district.

Motahar Hossain said this while talking to reporters after visiting different hilly area of Manikchhari upazila on Wednesday.

During the visit, the committee found evidence of illegal hill cutting in the areas.

Earlier on April 9, the government formed a probe body to look into the illegal hill razing in different areas of the upazila including Kharichhara, Eyatlongpara, Moradolu, Lemua, Tintohori and Borodolu where eight hills were razed illegally.

The committee was formed following the directive from State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam to determine measures to prevent hill cutting.

Legal steps have already been taken by the administration and the Department of Environment in this regard, he said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Afroze Bhuiyan and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Khadija Tahira were present during the inspection.

Officials said the findings of the probe body will be submitted soon and further action will be taken based on the report.