Stern action needed against sand terrorists to protect environment
Despite the new government’s stern warnings against all forms of crime, including extortion and encroachment, before and after the swearing-in ceremony, the violence of criminals does not seem to be decreasing.
This truth was highlighted by the shooting of sand terrorists on villagers in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria, on Sunday morning for obstructing illegal sand extraction from the Meghna River.
According to media reports, ten people were shot and at least 20 others injured in the incident.
Also in mid-November last year, sand terrorists carried out a Nabinagar-style terrorist attack in Bhola, injuring four people, in response to an attempt to stop illegal sand extraction from the Meghna River.
In fact, illegal sand mining from rivers, canals and various water bodies has been going on for a long time.
In most cases, allegedly the administration either plays the role of a spectator or becomes a participant in this illegal activity.
Reportedly, the main politically-beneficial local influential individuals or groups are involved in such misdeeds.
It has been seen that when the government of the party in power, the people blessed by that government involved in legal and illegal sand mining operations all over the country. In some places, even local leaders of top parties collectively carry out these crimes.
Although the party affiliation of the terrorists in the Nabinagar incident is not mentioned in the report, it is not difficult to find the source of their arrogance.
In the past year and a half, many reports have been published in the same period to this effect.
Following the ouster of the Awami League government, all the illegal sources of income that were controlled by that party were transferred to the hands of people supported by BNP, Jamaat and other parties after the July mass uprising.
It is no secret to anyone how much damage the environment is caused by unplanned sand extraction from rivers, canals or natural water bodies from across the country.
We also know the role of indiscriminate sand mining in destroying the habitats of various aquatic organisms, including fish, and causing river erosion.
Many bridges and dams built at a cost of crores of taka are facing threats due to sand mining. Even the river itself may be facing death due to this.
The authorities must be determined to stop illegal sand mining and prevent sand terrorists at any cost.
As a first step, they must bring the sand terrorists under the law. We believe that the people of the sand terror-hit areas will also continue their protest and resistance.
