District Correspondent, Sylhet: A group of individuals has been openly collecting illegal tolls by constructing an earthen and stone dam across the fast-flowing Sonai River (locally known as Bairang River) along the border of Chatak and Companiganj. Trucks and tractors carrying stones are using this dam, built over the river. Trucks loaded with stones from Chatak’s Ichamati River cross the dam to reach Companiganj, with a toll of 300 BDT being collected from each truck. Additionally, sand is being illegally extracted from the river and loaded onto tractors parked on the dam. Each tractor carrying a load of sand is being charged 3,000 BDT. This scenario unfolds at the Sonai River’s Chanbari-Gangpar Nowakot Point.
Field visits revealed that the dam stretches 350 feet in length and 18 feet in width, with a 10-foot lower section for water flow. Stones have been used extensively to reinforce the dam, which is being monetized by collecting tolls from trucks and tractors at the Gangpar Nowakot Mosque Ghat on the western side. Approximately 400 vehicles transport sand and stones daily, generating over 300,000 BDT in illegal tolls per day.
According to local residents, the main perpetrators are Mokhlesur Rahman, general secretary of the ruling party’s 3rd Ward unit in Islampur Union, and his brothers Abdul Quddus and Rafiqu Ahmed. The family members, allegedly involved in numerous criminal activities, operate with impunity in the remote area. The group has been accused of leveraging local police officials, including SIs Sikandar Mia and Shahab Uddin, who reportedly receive nightly bribes of 10,000 BDT for ensuring uninterrupted toll collection.
The syndicate is also accused of obstructing the opening of a newly constructed bridge near the dam to maintain their toll collection activities. To ensure uninterrupted vehicle movement, the group allegedly filled up a culvert near the bridge with soil, blocking water drainage and risking surrounding agricultural lands in Nijgaon, Baganbari, and Ratanpur.
When contacted, Mokhlesur Rahman denied allegations of illegal toll collection, claiming the dam was built with permission from local authorities for transporting stones. He asserted that funds were collected for dam maintenance, but he could not address the environmental and water flow issues caused by the dam.
Anonymous sources revealed that a new bridge near the dam remains unused due to the syndicate’s influence. This dam has exacerbated flooding, with the 2022 and 2023 floods causing widespread damage to homes, roads, and agricultural lands in several areas, including Ratanpur, Nijgaon, and Gangpar Nowakot.
Moniruzzaman Sandul, a businessman from Gangpar Nowakot, stated that the 2023 flood destroyed roads, bridges, and culverts due to the dam’s obstruction of the river’s natural flow.
Chatak Police Station OC Mokhlesur Rahman Akand said no one has the authority to obstruct the river’s flow and pledged to investigate the matter.
Companiganj Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammad Abul Hasnat confirmed that constructing a dam on the river is unlawful and assured coordination with Chatak officials to take appropriate actions.
