Nilphamari: Police arrested a local Awami League leader on charge of cutting down trees owned by the government at Kamarpukur in Saidpur of the district on Saturday afternoon.

The arrested person was identified as Aftab Uddin, president of the Kamarpur union unit of the ruling party, according to a UNB report.

Saidpur police officer-in-charge Amin-uz-Zaman said Aftab had cut three roadside trees owned by the government few days back and sold those at a local market.

On Saturday, he was cutting five more trees planted beside Kamarpur road, said the OC added.

On information, police rushed to the spot and arrested Aftab at about 5:30pm while his three accomplishes managed to run away, he said.