A vested syndicate is illegally extracting sands indiscriminately by digging ponds on croplands at Kailail union under Nawabgonj upazila in Dhaka.
Due to the sand lifting, it is being apprehended that croplands, homesteads and roads might face collapse at any time.
On the other hand, the government is being deprived of revenue of millions of taka every year from this sector due to the illegal sale of sand.
Violating of the directive of Salman F Rahman, MP of Dohar Nawabganj constituency, some greedy syndicates have been uplifting the sand at Kailail, Telenga area. The local administration remains silence in this regard.
In accordance with the Sand and Soil Management Act, it is strictly forbidden to extract the sand or soil using pumps, dredging machine. Violating the rules the unscrupulous grabbers are extracting sand nearing Dhaka.
Locals said, the sand was extracting from the pond using shallow machine. They accused that Shahid of Kailail village buys lands from the local poor farmers at a lower price and extracted sands from those land to sell in the market. Shahid led the syndicate was also accused.
Kutab Ali of Kailail village said, being associate of the rulling party, Shahid managed the administration for a long time and illegally extracted the sand and sell it. Several political leaders are involved with his illegal sand trade.
Rashed Hassan, a college student of Kailail Telenga village, said Shahidul has been selling soil and sand for several years under the shelter of different strategies.
Due to extracting sand and soil, roads and agricultural land are being damaged regularly. Even after complaining to the administration, the sand lifting was not stop. The administration shows indifference applying strict measures. Occasionally they seize equipment and make fine.
Visiting the spot, it is known that, Shahidul of Kailail village is the main culprit who occupied the poor farmers’ land and extracted sand by digging pond. When contacted with Shahidul in this matter, he said, "You know everything. Why do you ask me? I have started the sand extraction for a few days. The conditions of business are not good.”
HM Salahuddin Monju, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Nawabganj said, no one accused me about the matter. After investigation, action will be taken against the culprits.
