Jewel Chowdhury, District Representative Habiganj //

Illegal sand extraction is going on from the area between Hilal Nagar and Telghari villages of Daulatpur Union No. 5 of Baniachong Upazila of Habiganj. Hundreds of fields and crop lands on the river bank are under threat due to illegal sand extraction by installing dredgers day and night. Due to uncontrolled sand extraction, roads and ghats in the area are being destroyed, and houses and houses are being destroyed.

It is known that an influential local group has been extracting sand by installing dredgers in the area between Hilal Nagar and Telghari villages for a long time. And this group is led by Umar Faruk of Daulatpur No. 5 and his people. And a person named Manju Kumar Das is accompanying him. In addition, local UP members Monir Mia, Dabir Mia, Hedayat Ullah, Ramzan Ali, and some other influential people in the area are working as their associates, including Machu Mia, Moin Uddin, Sohag Chowdhury, Sheikh Nasim and Nurul Huda.

After investigating, it was learned that the gang has spread its dominance in the area. No one dares to speak out against them. Even though they have been illegally extracting sand from the river for a long time, no one dares to speak out. Even though some people speak out, they are tortured. Although the gang is illegally extracting sand day after day, the government is losing a huge amount of revenue. In this situation, it is demanded to take action against those involved in illegal sand extraction for the benefit of the local residents.

On the spot, it was seen that a large dredger machine is being installed in the area between Hilal Nagar and Telghari villages and sand is being extracted freely from there. And 15 to 20 workers are working in it. After extracting the sand, they are taking it in a big boat to a place near Markuli Bazar and piling it up. Locals say that at least 8 to 10 lakh taka of sand and soil is being extracted from the Kushiyara River every day. Due to which huge holes are being created at the bottom of the river.

Local residents say that even though sand has been extracted illegally from that area for a long time, the administration is not taking any action. Due to sand extraction, the cropland on the river banks is under threat. In many places, houses have also collapsed. Therefore, it is important to stop all this now.

Villagers also said that the gang is very influential. If you speak against them, they harass the common people in various ways. They do not have any permission to extract sand. However, they have been extracting sand by destroying the environment for a long time.

Habiganj District Bapa General Tofazzul Sohel told The Daily Morning Sun that illegal extraction of sand from the bottom of the river is a mortal threat to our environment. Even if its impact is not much now, the sand extraction incident will have a huge impact later. Therefore, those concerned must take immediate action to protect the environment.

Habiganj Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) said that action will be taken in this regard.