The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has clarified that reports of an attack on the vehicle convoy of Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan in Sherpur are inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement, signed by Dipankar Bar, press officer of the ministry, they said that Advisor Rizwana Hasan visited the Dawdhara Garo Hill tourist center in Nalitabari, Sherpur, as part of a pre-scheduled programme.
After the visit, she addressed the media and then proceeded to the Madhutila Range to inspect the long-term plantation area, the statement said.
Subsequently, she held a public meeting at Madhutila, where she provided compensation to families affected by elephant attacks and engaged in discussions on human-elephant conflict and forest conservation. All events were conducted peacefully and amicably, it added.
The Ministry further stated that any reported altercations involving journalists or individuals at a later location were unrelated to the advisor’s official visit.
The Ministry also urged media outlets to verify information before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.