Even after the political change, the festival of looting sand extracted from the river continues in Bilonia area of Parshuram Upazila of Feni. Similarly, the influential people are looting the sand excavated from the embankment of Kautali river in Mirzanagar union of the upazila, said the locals.
On the surface, it is known that the lease of Baurkhuma part of Bilonia has been taken, but tons of sand has been mined without a lease in Kautli. Due to sand extraction in both areas, the cropland of the area is disappearing into the river bed. Nearby houses are also under threat.
Talking to the locals, it is known that after the political change, the Awami leaseholders are looting the extracted sands. But no one is opening up about the robbers out of fear. Due to this, the huge pile of sand has now become a flat field.
When asked about this, the workers who came to take the excavated sand said that a person named Liton had sent a car and them here to take sand for road repair.
When asked which Liton, they said, the one who sent them is called Liton, that is all they know. But they don't know him directly. Similarly, a person named Noor Hossain, Acting General Secretary of District Zia Manch in Kautli occupied Balumahal. The sands there were mined without any lease.
More than one person who is not sure to reveal his name said that Parshuram Upazila Jubo Dal Joint Convener Abul Khair Liton sent a car to pick up the sand. When asked the workers at the Balumhall in Baurkhuma, they said that a man named Liton had sent them to fetch sand to repair the roads damaged by the severe floods.
Denying the issue of taking sand, Upazila Jubo Dal joint convener Abul Khair Liton said that personally he does not do any road work. Those who extracted sand are in the area. He is not involved in these sand loots.
Nur Hossain said that sand is not being extracted again. Most of the excavated sand was carried away with the water during the flood. The ones that are there, those who were involved earlier are selling with the local affected people. There are many people involved in this. But he is not involved in any way.
Parshuram police station OC Mohammad Nurul Hakim said that he does not know who has leased the river sand. Even if the extraction of sand is stopped, the excavated sand is the responsibility of the lessee. Whether they are selling will be seen at a loss.
Parashuram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifur Rahman said that an order has been given to stop extracting sand from the river. However, he does not know who is taking the preserved sand. The OC of the police station will be instructed to look into the matter after finding out about it. Also, the lease period will end on April 4, 2025.
ZH
