Sylhet Bureau :
A huge amount of stones was buried under sand and soil in the Kalabari area of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet. It is known that these stones were looted from white stones and the surrounding areas. After the administration’s operation began, the stones were hidden.
However, the end was not saved. On Friday, the joint forces conducted an operation in Kalabari area and seized a huge amount of stones buried under sand and soil.
The operation was conducted by Executive Magistrate Mahmud Ashiq Kabir on Friday (August 15). It could not be confirmed how much stones were seized in Friday’s operation. In this regard, Executive Magistrate Mahmud Ashiq Kabir said that the operation is ongoing. Full information will be provided by the end of the day.
Executive Magistrate Ashiq Kabir told reporters that they have information that looted stones are buried in soil in more than a hundred places in Companiganj. Besides, the looted stones are not only being hidden in the crusher mill, but also in various houses in Companiganj, even behind the kitchen.
The joint forces have started an operation to recover white stones since last Wednesday. More than a hundred trucks loaded with stones were seized on Wednesday and Thursday. The recovered stones are being replaced with white stones in Bholaganj.
The situation in the area has been tense since the operation began on Wednesday night. Most of the crusher mills are closed. On Thursday, executive magistrates disconnected the electrical connections of crusher mills in various areas of Companiganj. Locals said that many mill owners and sand and stone traders have turned a blind eye to this.
UNO of Sylhet Sadar Upazila Khoshnur Rubaiyat said, “Our operation is continuing. Even if the stones are hidden with sand and soil, the rescue operation will continue.” I have received information that stones are being hidden in various houses.’ UNO of Kompaniganj Upazila Azizunnahar also gave the same information and assured that the hidden stones will be recovered.
Since the political change on August 5 last year, widespread looting has started in the Sadapathar area. It is alleged that leaders of all political parties were involved in it locally. A huge amount of stones accumulated at the source of the Dhalai River were openly removed by boat during the day. Hundreds of boats have been used to transport stones every day, and even sand from the riverbank has been excavated.
Local investigations have revealed that 16 BNP leaders led the looting of the white stones. Several Awami League leaders are also involved. Meanwhile, West Islampur Union Chairman and BNP leader Alamgir Hossain has been arrested. The post of Companiganj Upazila BNP President Shahab Uddin has been suspended.
In this situation, the High Court on Thursday ordered the recovery of the looted stones within seven days and their replacement in the right place. At the same time, the list of those involved in the looting has also been ordered to be submitted to the court. The writ was filed by Sarwar Ahad on behalf of the human rights organization Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) and the hearing was conducted by Advocate Manzil Morshed.
