District Correspondent, Sylhet: A task force conducted a raid against stone looting at the Bholaganj Sadapathar tourist spot in Companiganj. During the operation, 10 individuals were apprehended. Subsequently, nine were sentenced to two years in prison by a mobile court, while the underage offender will face legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services. The operation was led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azizun Nahar.
The raid was conducted from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday.
The convicted and detained individuals are:
1. Mohammad Alim Uddin, son of Chan Mia, Dalirgaon village, Companiganj.
2. Mokbul Hossain, son of late Imam Hossain, Natun Meghargaon village.
3. Mohammad Gias Uddin, son of Sanor Ali, Dakkhin Kolabari village.
4. Ful Mia, son of Haji Abdul Mannan, Kalairag village.
5. Iqbal Mahmud, son of Abdul Romidh, Laki village, Gowainghat.
6. Mohammad Kibria Ahmed, son of late Habibur Rahman.
7. Jahangir Alam, son of late Rahmat Ali, Basakar village, Dirai, Sunamganj.
8. Ali Nur, son of late Ali Hossain.
9. Mohammad Joj Mia, son of Abdul Hakim, Kasempur village, Itna, Kishoreganj.
According to the Companiganj Upazila Administration, after the operation began at 6:00 AM, hundreds of looters attempted to attack the task force. They pelted stones at the team, but police and BGB members worked together to chase them away. During the raid, 20 boats used for carrying stones were destroyed, and 18 more were seized and placed under BGB custody.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, rainfall caused water levels in the Dhalai River to rise. By Wednesday morning, looting of stones from the Sadapathar tourist spot began in the Kalairag area using engine-operated and traditional boats, continuing day and night without resistance.
UNO Azizun Nahar stated, “Such operations against sand and stone extraction will continue.”
