Illegal sand extraction in Feni continues despite political shift

For the reason that downfall of the Awami League authorities in August, political actions in Feni get viewed a fundamental shift, with many of us, reportedly aligned with the BNP, resurfacing on the political scene.

This transformation in energy dynamics has coincided with a indispensable develop in sand extraction from rivers, notably in Sonagazi, Chhagolnaiya, and Parshuram upazilas of Feni district.

Local contributors get described the dwelling with a phrase “Awami League out, BNP in.”

Per reports, a entire lot of contributors, claimed to be BNP followers, get taken control over sand extraction sites.

There are furthermore allegations of looting the extracted sand.

Following the political transition, some contractors beforehand aligned with the Awami League get vacated these sites, allowing opportunists to milk the dwelling. However, the fears of retaliation get saved native residents quiet about these actions.

Unregulated sand extraction has intensified below the pretext of flood reduction and restore initiatives, with around 20 sites for the time being in operation.

This unchecked exercise has ended in indispensable erosion along riverbanks and the pulling down of as soon as-productive sandbanks.

Despite authorities rules, some groups continue to flout the guidelines, extracting sand recklessly.

This has positioned hundreds of acres of land, homesteads, and facets of flood control embankments inclined to erosion and give diagram.

In the final 5 years, of the eight designated sand extraction sites in Feni, ideal 5 get licensed contractors, while the final three get remained vacant no subject repeated notifications. However, unlawful sand extraction persists, with ample financial gains for these challenging.

The authorities earns Tk1 crore yearly from the 5 licensed sites.

In Sonagazi Muhuri project verbalize, unlawful sand extraction is reportedly taking space at 5 areas, including shut to the Muhuri Regulator Bridge and the Shubpur Bridge, every of which face doable structural hurt.

Dredgers are frail to extract sand, which is transported through pipelines and later provided in other areas.

Sources claim that two native groups are managing these unlawful sand extraction operations.

One neighborhood is reportedly led by Khurshid Alam, the convenor of the Sonagazi Upazila Jubo Dal, while totally different is expounded with Imam Hossain, the frequent secretary of the the same unit. Both contributors get denied involvement in unlawful actions.

In a similar diagram, Nur Hossain, performing frequent secretary of the Zia Parishad in the Kautali verbalize, has been accused of controlling a sand extraction space without authorisation.

Kamrul Hasan, upazila nirbahi officer of Sonagazi, acknowledged that the administration has issued strict instructions to end all unauthorised sand extraction from rivers.

“Commercial sand extraction must get prior permission from the administration, and compulsory actions would possibly be taken following investigations,” he added.

Saiful Islam, deputy commissioner of Feni, assured that measures are being taken to curb unlawful sand extraction.

“Periodic raids are being performed, and if any unlawful actions are detected, appropriate correct action, including fines, would possibly be aware,” he acknowledged.

Mohammad Rashed Shahriar, executive engineer of the Feni Water Development Board, warned referring to the severe penalties of unregulated sand mining. “Erosion prompted by unlawful extraction would possibly maybe possibly get devastating effects on the waterways and develop hardships for native residents,” he acknowledged.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and memoir unlawful actions to the authorities for suggested action.