Sylhet Bureau :
The fascists who are illegally Lifting sand in Kanaighat and Jokiganj in Sylhet have become reckless. The locals are not getting any remedy even after appealing to the appropriate authorities in this regard. Rather, this gang is embezzling crores of taka with the silent role of the administration. As a result of their sand mining, houses and various establishments in Kanaighat are about to be destroyed. The sand miners are so powerful that they are embezzling crores of taka in many places by disobeying the instructions of the administration. They are also mining sand from places outside the lease and destroying houses, crop lands, mosques and madrasas, including government and private establishments. The violence is going on without any remedy.
The innocent villagers of Kanaighat in Sylhet have protested and are now homeless after being accused in false cases. The locals said that they are managing the local administration and are continuing all these illegal activities without any problems.
Locals of Kanaighat and Zakiganj in Sylhet said that since May 1, they have been looting sand and soil in the vast expanse of the Surma River in Kanaighat and Zakiganj upazilas by showing a lease of a mahal of only two and a half acres in the name of Surma River (Nawagao) in JL No. 8 Mouza of Zakiganj Upazila. More than a hundred people including Fahad Ahmed, Abdul Jalil, Moyna Mia of the area have filed a written complaint regarding this matter with the Divisional Commissioner on 24-9-2025 and the latest on 8-10-2025 to the D.U.G. of Sylhet Range. The written complaint states, ‘Ignoring government orders, Tarek Mohammad Abdullah, Aftab Mia alias Carpet Aftab and Mizanul Rahman Dipjol along with their terrorist lathi-bali are illegally extracting sand and soil from the Surma River under Kanaighat and Zakiganj Upazilas. They are illegally extracting crores of rupees from both banks of the river by using banned ‘Sakshan dredgers’ and ‘bulk heads’ in several places across the area, from Kayastha village of Kanaighat to Baradesh.
The residents of the area said that due to illegal dredging, the Surma river has broken and the river is no longer in its previous position. There is a danger of deterioration in the law and order situation due to illegal extraction of soil and sand in the area. Earlier, there were several clashes in the area due to illegal extraction of sand. 15 people were injured in this. The army had to enter the field to stop the clashes. The application submitted to Prashan said that drug dealers are involved in this gang. Now, if you talk against it, you run away with false cases.
After changing the pot, they are grabbing illegal benefits by changing the shell. Sources say that ‘big money games’ are held every week around this sand extraction. Many people are asking how they can roam around openly and run their businesses despite being accused in anti-discrimination cases. According to sources, the money from the livelihood has reached the fascists and the current influential people.
According to the complaint filed with Prashan, a case is being filed against Aftab at the Kotawali Model Police Station of SMP under the Explosives Act during the anti-discrimination movement. Case No. 06/271, dated 19.6.25.
Meanwhile, the villagers said that after the Sylhet district administration complained about illegal sand extraction, 15-16 additional boats and dredgers are being used to extract sand in Kanaighat. This has led to the collapse of both banks of the river in the long area from Kayasthagram to Baradesh in Kanaighat and houses are being destroyed. They are illegally extracting sand and storing it in various places including Kushighat, Mirer Char, Kuighater Mukhe, Muradpur, Alampur in South Surama and selling it. These are sold at a price of 15 taka per foot. But the silence of the administration is mysterious. Fahad Ahmed and Misbah Uddin of Kanaighat said that many houses in the area have already been washed away by the river and the residents have been left homeless.
Meanwhile, prominent people of Kanaighat said that on September 21, residents of Kanaighat and Zakigaj upazilas of the district also complained to the Deputy Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sarwar Ahmed issued an order (No. 19-27) on August 26 banning illegal sand and soil extraction throughout Sylhet district. But sand extraction is going on in Sylhet from these places in defiance of the ban.
Illegal sand and soil are being looted from about 70 acres of untenable areas of the Surma River in Kanaighat using 20-25 banned dredgers and bulkheads from both banks of the river. As a result, many cracks have appeared in various places of the Surma Dike of Paubo.
In a petition submitted to the Sylhet District Commissioner, the people of the two upazilas demanded immediate action against illegal sand and soil extraction to protect their homes, agricultural lands, and government and private establishments. Farhad Ahmed, Misbah Uddin and many others from the area said, “In the interest of our villages, homes, and livelihoods, please bring those involved in illegal activities under the law and protect the innocent villagers by confiscating illegal equipment.”
Speaking on the matter, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Md. Sarwar Alam said, “Already, sand and stone extraction, storage, transportation, and sale have been completely banned in Sylhet district. After this, if anyone disobeys the order and illegally extracts and sells sand and stones, legal action will be taken against them.”
