★ Top administrative officials remain helpless
★ Jaflong’s destruction continues with monstrous machinery
★ Defying administrative directives aided by autocratic allies
◾ Md. Raihan Hossain, Sylhet:
The highest administrative officials of Sylhet seem helpless in protecting the sand and stones of the Jaflong tourist area in Gowainghat Upazila. Both the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police have expressed their inability to stop illegal stone extraction in Jaflong, despite continuous operations and 12 filed cases. When the local police arrive, stone extraction halts for a while, but it resumes as soon as they leave.
A ground investigation reveals that Jaflong’s destruction continues unabated with monstrous machinery in front of police, BGB, and Ansar members. Thousands of boats are being used by workers to extract sand and stones. Some use shallow machines, some use excavators or bulldozers, while others employ four-cylinder machines. Out of fear, the police have not taken action against them. Last Thursday, a sub-inspector (SI) from Gowainghat Police Station was attacked for acting against this group. Yet, no legal action has been taken by the police against them.
Locals report that for the past five or six months, Sabeth alias Samad, who is named in three separate cases filed by truck labor leaders and students, has formed a looting gang in Jaflong. This gang collects specific fees from every boat, shallow machine, stone-and-sand-carrying vehicle, and quarry pit in Jaflong. Sabeth has his own syndicate, including a line syndicate that collects Tk 15,000 daily from every stone quarry in the area. Masud Rana and Abdur Razzak operate three large quarries in partnership with Sabeth under a sublease. These quarries are clearly visible in Jaflong’s Jum area, near the temple.
Locals, requesting anonymity, reveal that the land from which Sabeth and Masud Rana extract stones actually belongs to the family of the late Montan Mia. The family, being socially and financially weak, has been forced to surrender their land under threats from this extortionist gang. In Jaflong, even though there are different groups, Amzad Box ultimately acts as the cashier. He manages the line for the administration, and police officers posted in Jaflong are required to follow his instructions. Opposing him leads to trouble even for the police.
A recent visit to Jaflong’s Jumpar area reveals that six large quarries have been dug on Montan’s land. Stones are extracted by workers during the day, while excavators and bulldozers are operated at night.
Locals further state that the late Montan Mia’s land has been falsely claimed by Delwar alias Sona Delwar from Raynagar in Sylhet through a forged deed. This has resulted in several ongoing court cases between him and Montan’s family. Recently, Montan’s son Motiur Rahman Muhib filed a case in the Sylhet Assistant Judge’s Court in Gowainghat, seeking an injunction against illegal stone extraction. On February 19, 2025, the court ordered a status quo (injunction) on plot no. 263 in Jumpar and instructed the Gowainghat Police to enforce it. However, Sabeth’s gang, under the cover of darkness, used excavators and bulldozers to loot stones worth Tk 10 crore within a few days, ignoring the court order.
Despite informing the Officer-in-Charge of the police station, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Superintendent of Police, no action has been taken. Sabeth continues to flout administrative directives, raising questions among locals about the motives behind this inaction.
In the last five months, Jaflong’s quarries have reportedly seen looting of sand and stones worth Tk 500 crore. Local sources claim that Sabeth, despite being named in three cases, roams freely in Jaflong under the protection of political figures.
Administrative Response
Gowainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Sarkar Tofail Ahmed, stated to the media that police operations are ongoing to stop illegal stone extraction. He mentioned that he was on leave, causing delays in implementing the court order. However, he has instructed local police officers to enforce the order.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sher Mohammad Mahbub Murad told the media that significant looting occurred in Jaflong’s quarries after August 5. Cases have been filed in respective police stations, and the culprits will soon be brought to justice.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Sylhet Division Coordinator Shah Shaheda stated that sand and stone plunderers are openly defying the court and government.
Sylhet Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman said that the police assist in raids conducted by the district or Upazila administration’s task force and mobile courts.
BGB Sylhet Sector Commander Colonel Saiful Islam Chowdhury stated to the media that they prevent sand and stone extraction within 150 yards of the border. Beyond that, it is the responsibility of the Upazila administration.
