Illegal extraction of sand from the river is not stopped in Thakurgaon. In some places, the banks of the river are breaking due to sand removal by installing dredger machines, the rural roads are destroyed. However, they are grabbing millions of Tk by extracting sand without a lease for years in violation of the law. Local residents claim that their protest was of no use. Rather, it is facing various threats. The role of the administration has been questioned.
At the local level, it is known that sand is being extracted illegally from the rivers. A few influential people have built an empire of illegal sand trading. They are doing business under the political umbrella without caring about anyone. The common people are far from talking and the administration is struggling to stop them many times.
According to the administration information, there are thirteen rivers in the district including Tangon, Shuk, Senua, Pathraj. None of which has been granted sand mining lease.
The local influentials took possession of the dock and extracted sand through dredgers from the river flowing by various unions including Akcha, Nargun, Salandar and Dholarhat in Thakurgaon Sadar. Each tractor is selling at two to three hundred taka at Balu Ghat. Illegal sand miners are making lakhs of Tk by selling the sand to the businessmen by misleading the locals and claiming to take the lease within the sight of the administration.
As a result of heavy lifting of sand from the river, the river banks and rural roads are broken. However, the administration has practically no plan. However, they also demanded the system of extracting sand legally. On the other hand, the people involved in the sand business are so influential that the local people do not dare to file any complaint against them anywhere. Locals are demanding to take quick action to stop such illegal activities.
On the condition of anonymity, some residents of Akcha Union said that many have been harassed in the past by protesting. Now no one dares. Even if the media talks about it, the influential circles will rise.
A person named Enamul Haque said, "Sand extraction is not stopped in any way. This sand is being used to fill ponds and reservoirs in various places including roads. As a result of digging deeper into the river and extracting sand, the land owners along the river have to pay losses every year during the monsoon season. Crop land is damaged. Many plants go under the river.
Serekul Islam, Chairman of Nargun Union of Sadar Upazila, admitted that the sand was extracted illegally and brought the matter to the attention of the administration.
Sadar Upazila executive officer Abu Taher Sammuzzaman assured to take legal action against the illegal sand lifters through the campaign.