Illegal stone lifting from rivers goes on unabated

Ignoring a government ban, extraction of stones by using dredgers from three rivers in Patgram upazila of the district continues unabated.

Locals said some politically influential people are running a profitable business of stone lifting from Dharla, Saniyazan and Shingimari rivers, badly affecting the environment.

A major landslide may occur any time, as mechanical extractors like dredgers are extracting stones from the rivers and adjacent areas at depths of over 100 metres, creating a hollow space underground, they said.

Around 300 dredgers, each with an ability to extract 700 cubic feet of stones, are lifting stones illegally from the rivers.

 "Local people dare not protest against this illegal act, fearing harassment by the stone lifters as they are involved with political parties," Sahidul Islam of Islampur village said, adding that local administration and police should take stern actions against the stone lifting.

A dredger owner, seeking anonymity, said each machine can lift 250 to 300 cubic feet of stone in an hour. To avoid the mobile court, they are running the dredgers at night, he added.

Admitting illegal extraction of stones, Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Noor Kutubul Alam said he is conducting drives in the rivers during the night. Police and BGB are also conducting divers separately, he added.

Superintendent of Police TM Mojahidul Islam said police cannot go into full action due to shortage of manpower at local police station. He sought cooperation of local people and public representatives to save the rivers and the environment.

Contacted, Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman of Lalmonirhat said the upazila administration and police have been asked to take stern actions against the stone lifters and the dredger machine owners. 

A huge quantity of stones extracted from the river is kept near the bank. Photo: Star