Illegal stone lifting goes unabated in Sylhet

Unscrupulous businessmen are lifting stones in various locations of Sylhet district, defying the law.
According to sources, stones are being lifted in Companigonj, Goainghat and Jointiapur upazilas of the Sylhet district.
Local influential Shamim Ahmed in Bulagonj area of Companigonj upazila areas are lifting stones from hills. However, he is lifitng stones illegally from Bulagonj and some other adjacent hills.
Locals fear hills may collapse in winter due to scarcity of water, which is a consequence of such illegal stone-lifting. The stones are being lifted from hills using powerful explosives, which is against the law.
According to the Mines and Mineral Act 2012, apart from floating stones in canals, fountains and rivers, stones cannot be lifted by digging soil and cutting hills. Md Zahed Hossain, who lifts stones from the locality, said stones were being lifted for the construction of government works which was also followed by law.
Companigonj UNO said; “Steps will be taken against them who are involved with violating the law.” Locals said if the stone lifting cannot be stopped immediately, environmental disaster would be imminent.
They urged the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) to take necessary steps in this regard.